Landlords Rights

As a landlord it's worth your while getting to know your rights. Most of the emphasis is usually on tenant rights, but your rights as a landlord rights are just as important.

Knowing your rights can help make sure you don't find yourself being taken advantage of by tenants, and just as important make sure that you are fulfilling your role as landlord and not breaking the law.

Enter property with appropriate notification
Collect overdue rent payments
Seek possession of the property if you or someone living with you has damaged it.

Landlord Access

Although the property you are renting out is the tenant's home, you still retain some rights of entry as the landlord of the property. This right can also apply to any agent(s) representing you.

Having the right to enter the property does not mean you can turn up and enter the property without notice. If you need to enter a property for an inspection for example you should give at least 24-48 hours notice.

Repairs

If you need to carry out repairs to the property then you have the right to reasonable access. The term reasonable access is quite vague and can cause confusion because what it means will depend on your reason for needing access to the property.

If you need to enter a property to carry out emergency repairs, a gas or flooding for example then you should be entitled to immediate access in order to repair these problems.

Inspections

Its in your interest as a landlord to inspect the property on a regular basis to ensure everything is still in good condition. A regular inspection every 3 months should be sufficient making tenants aware of this fact before they sign the tenancy agreement is a good idea.