Safe Haven Project - Private Landlords - Policy

Safe Haven Project - Private Sector Leasing

Standards

Summary

This page sets out some information on the standards that an owner can expect when leasing out their property to a Registered Social Landlord.

Further Information

To participate in a Leasing Scheme, owners may lease out their property for up to six years on either a repairing or non-repairing lease. During this time the expectation is that it will be used to house people in housing need in return for a guaranteed rent. The rent will be paid whether the property is occupied or not. During the period of a lease the property will be subject to change even though it has been cared for and owners should not expect to receive their property back in the same condition as when they leased it out.
However, the property will be looked after to ensure that it is not damaged or neglected.

The sort of ways in which the property will be cared for will differ depending on the circumstances, such as the time of year, whether the property is let or not, it’s geographical location, the terms of the lease etc.

This paper is an attempt to set out what an owner can expect.

When the property is empty

The property will be secured so that thieves and vandals are deterred
Owners should ensure that good quality locks and locks to the windows are fitted before offering their property for leasing
Owners should ensure that the property is correctly insured. This stipulation is one of the requirements in the lease. Specialist insurance is available for landlords.
In winter the water supply will be turned off to prevent burst pipes and possible water damage.
Neighbours will be asked to keep a look out and report anything suspicious to the RSL and/or the police.
The property will be let as swiftly as possible and as little time as possible should elapse for the property to stand empty.

When the property is occupied

Annual gas checks will be completed in order to comply with legislation.
Regular electricity checks will be undertaken after every re-letting
Owners can expect to be informed promptly of any repairs for which they are responsible
Owners can expect to be paid regularly and on time
It is a condition of tenancy that a property is kept in a clean and healthy state. Regular checks to the property will be made to ensure that the tenancy conditions are adhered to and action will be taken to enforce them if they are not.
Repairs for which the RSL is responsible will be undertaken promptly and within agreed timescales which are set out in the lease. Owners are expected to do repairs for which they are responsible in the same timescale.
Should the property be damaged by the occupier they will be asked to put it right within a reasonable timescale. Should they fail to correct the damage within this timescale then the work will be done and the occupier charged and the tenancy conditions will be enforced.

At the end of the lease period

Owners can expect to receive their property back at the end of the lease in a condition that is in line with the lease terms to which they agreed when they signed the lease. This does not mean that an owner will necessarily get their property back in the same condition as when they took out the lease. This is because the property may have had several different occupants during the lease term and may have been decorated several times. Carpets and white goods (where provided) will be worn and may be dirty or have been replaced. Exterior painting may be required and ‘fair wear and tear’ (which means that things will have changed) will have taken place. These are things that may have happened to the property if it had been let out by the owner.
A property will probably require some attention when it is handed back to an owner. It will depend on the nature of the attention required and the responsibility for the risk as set down in the terms of the lease as to whose responsibility it is to put this right. It is unrealistic of an owner to expect the property to be returned in exactly the same condition as at the start of the lease, nor should they expect to have the property returned to them in a better condition than when they leased it out. However they can expect the property to be looked after and not be damaged or neglected. Owners who are considering leasing out their property should consider these issues before agreeing to lease. A lease should be available to read prior to them signing up to it.

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