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Advice for private landlords

We work with local landlords and agents to ensure responsible renting through advice and encouragement.

Although many landlords already have well-managed properties, others may need advice and assistance to enable them to run their business correctly, ensuring they meet their legal obligations.

If you’re thinking about renting your property, download the LACORS landlord leaflet (PDF File, 400kb).

Useful information can also be found in the national private rented sector code of practice or on the government website. 

If you’re seeking tenants for your property, as well as free support throughout the tenancy, we may be able to help through our RealHome service.

Join the Virtual Landlord Forum

Are you a landlord looking to find out more about the latest information that affects you?

Newark and Sherwood District Council are working with Ashfield District Council and Mansfield District Council to host a FREE online Landlord Forum on Microsoft Teams.

The forum meetings will include regular guest speakers from DASH, EMPO, Police and Fire Safety.

We ask landlords to submit any questions beforehand by email to Real.Home@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or by calling 01636 655309.

If you are a private landlord, based in our district, make sure you sign up to the forum invite list by sending your name and preferred
email address to Real.Home@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk. If you do not have an email address, please contact us on 01636 655309.

Next meeting date

Wednesday 20 November 2024, 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Topics to be discussed:

  • Damp and mould
  • Proposed abolishment of S21
  • Proposed decent homes in PRS
  • Tenant issues and ASB
  • Awaabs Law
  • Gas and Electrical safety

Submit any questions beforehand by 2pm on 15 November 2024 to Real.Home@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or by calling 01636 655309.

Sign up to join this forum by emailing Real.Home@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk or calling 01636 655309.

Fire safety

National guidance is available providing advice on keeping residential buildings safe from fire. Landlords who follow this guidance and correctly carry our fire risk assessments will be well placed to satisfy requirements set out under fire safety legislation.

Download the LACORS Fire Safety leaflet for more information.

Gas safety

Landlords must ensure all gas appliances and flues provided for tenants are safe. They must also be subject to an annual safety check carried out only by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Find out more about gas safety from the Health and Safety Executive, or visit the Gas Safe Register website.

Electrical safety

Landlords must ensure all electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at an interval of at least every 5 years. 

Find out more about landlord responsibilities for electrical safety from the Electrical Safety First organisation.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms

From 1 October 2022 the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require all social landlords to provide smoke alarms on every storey of their properties where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This has been a requirement for private sector landlords since 2015.

All landlords are also required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room of their properties used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is present (excluding gas cookers). The new regulations requires landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of tenancy and landlords are obliged to repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable.

Further guidance and FAQ’s for both private sector landlords and tenants can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Overcrowding

By law, rented dwellings must have suitable space for the number of people living in them. Assessment should consider space for sleeping, living, cooking, dining, usable space for studying, as well as washing and sanitary accommodation. Where appropriate, it should also consider external amenity and recreation space, including suitable and safe outdoor play space for children.

Download the LACORS guidance on crowding and space (PDF File, 1,198kb) or get in touch for more information.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

There are a number of specific requirements for landlords operating houses of multiple occupation and a mandatory licensing scheme for particular high risk properties. Visit our houses in multiple occupation page for more information.

Landlord accreditation scheme

If you’re a landlord who is serious about setting, achieving and minting high standards then consider seeking accreditation for your activities. Take a look at the DASH landlord accreditation scheme as a marker of quality service.

Enforcement

The Council ensures that private sector homes, both privately rented and owner-occupied, are of good quality and meet the current legal standards. Complaints of disrepair and housing safety issues are investigated.

NRLA - The home for landlords

The NRLA is the largest membership organisation for private landlords in the UK. It has over 100,000 members and offers help and advice to guide members through the complex regulatory environment, with all the essential documents and guidance needed to run a successful and fully compliant business.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is a member of the NRLA. If you'd like to find out more about how they could help you as a landlord visit their website.