As a landlord, ensuring the safety of your tenants is not only a moral duty but also a legal obligation. Fire doors play a critical role in protecting lives and property; therefore, understanding your responsibilities regarding fire doors is essential to maintaining compliance with the law. Here’s what every landlord needs to know about fire door responsibilities.

What is a fire door?

A fire door acts as a vital safety device in the event of a fire by delaying the spread of both flames and smoke. This gives tenants critical time to get to safety, while also minimising the damage caused to the property.
Fire doors are an integral part of a building’s passive fire protection system and are essential in communal areas and any space where a fire could pose a significant risk. Certified fire doors must be rigorously tested and supported by a safety performance certificate to prove that they have been tested in accordance with British standards.

Who is responsible for fire doors?

While the landlord is responsible for the fire doors in the property, it’s wise to talk to your tenants about the rules regarding fire safety in rental properties. You could also provide them with a handbook which details the rules they will need to follow while living in the property.
For example, propping open a fire door is against the law due to the risk it poses to the tenants and others.

Fire door legislation

In the UK, fire safety regulations are primarily governed by two key pieces of legislation: the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Housing Act 2004. The Fire Safety Order applies to all non-domestic premises, including common areas of residential buildings such as blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Under this legislation, landlords must carry out regular fire risk assessments, identify fire hazards, and take steps to reduce risks, including installing and maintaining fire doors.

Where should fire doors be installed:

Landlords are responsible for ensuring fire doors are installed in the following areas:

• HMOS and multi-occupancy buildings: Fire doors must be installed in all rooms that lead to communal areas, such as hallways and stairwells. This includes kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms in HMOs.
• Flats: In blocks of flats, fire doors should be installed at the entrance to each flat and in any communal areas such as corridors and stairwells.
• New builds and renovations: Any new building or renovation must comply with current fire safety standards, including the installation of appropriate fire doors where required.

Maintenance and inspection

Fire doors must be regularly maintained and inspected to ensure they remain effective. Landlords should conduct or arrange for a professional fire risk assessment that includes checking the condition of fire doors. Key things to look for include:

• Door alignment: The door should close properly, without gaps that could allow smoke or fire to pass through.
• Intumescent seals: These seals expand in heat to block gaps around the door, and they should be intact and properly fitted.
• Hinges and closures: Check that all hinges are secure and that the door closer functions correctly, ensuring the door closes automatically.
• No modifications: Any holes, damage, or modifications can compromise the fire door’s integrity.

Investing in a property with a sitting tenant involves a slightly different process compared to purchasing a vacant property, but it offers unique advantages that can make it worthwhile. Let's look at the key benefits of buying a property with a sitting tenant, as well as why it could be a great way to build your portfolio.

The process of investing in a property with a sitting tenant

Firstly, it’s important to thoroughly assess the property and understand the existing tenancy agreement. This includes reviewing the agreement’s terms, rent details, the duration of the tenancy, and any other obligations the tenant may have. It's also crucial to evaluate the tenant's rental history to ensure they have a strong track record of timely payments and proper maintenance of the property.

Securing financing

Once you've done your due diligence, the next step is securing financing. Lenders often favour properties with sitting tenants because of the existing income stream, which can make it easier to obtain a mortgage. Once completed, the transaction proceeds similarly to any other property purchase. However, as the new landlord, you’ll inherit the existing tenancy agreement, which means you must be prepared to honour its terms.

Immediate rental income

One of the most significant benefits of purchasing a property with a sitting tenant is the immediate rental income. Unlike vacant properties, where you may face months of searching for a suitable tenant, a property with an existing tenant generates income from day one.
This instant cash flow can help offset mortgage payments, maintenance costs, and other expenses associated with property ownership.

Reduce vacancy risk

Vacancy periods are a concern for any landlord, as a vacant property generates no income while still incurring costs. By investing in a property with a sitting tenant, you can minimise the risk of lengthy vacancies.
A sitting tenant ensures continued rental income, provides financial stability, and reduces the time and effort required to find new tenants.

Predictable income

With a sitting tenant, you have a clear understanding of the rental income you can expect, as well as the payment history of the current tenant. This predictability allows for more accurate financial planning and budgeting. It also provides reassurance that the tenant has a history of paying rent on time, lowering the risk of future payment issues.

Potential higher returns

Properties with sitting tenants may be priced slightly lower than vacant properties as not all landlords favour them. Therefore, if you’re willing to take on a sitting tenant, you could be able to buy a property at a discounted price, potentially leading to improved return on investment in the long run.

How your trusted agent can help

If you’re considering investing in a property with a sitting tenant, we will guide you through every step of the process with expertise and care. From the initial assessment of the tenancy agreement to understanding the tenant's rental history, we will make sure that you have a clear picture of the property's situation.

Obtaining a FENSA Certificate is crucial when it comes to buying or selling a property. But what exactly is a FENSA Certificate, and why is it so important? In this article, we take a look at everything you need to know about them, from what they are to how they impact the selling and buying process.

What is FENSA?

The Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) regulates the replacement of windows and doors in residential properties. It was established by the government in 2002 when building regulations were amended for double-glazing.

What is a FENSA Certificate?

A FENSA Certificate verifies that a FENSA-registered supplier installed all windows, doors, roofs, and skylights in accordance with building regulations. This verification eliminates the need for local building authorities to inspect the work to ensure that it meets the necessary regulations.

Why do you need a FENSA Certificate?

Without a FENSA Certificate, you are at risk of paying for a service that does not satisfy safety and quality standards. Failure to comply with certain regulations may even result in fines and legal issues.
A FENSA Certificate also ensures that the windows and doors installed in your home meet the required energy efficiency standards, which can help to regulate the temperature inside your home and reduce your energy bills.

How to get a FENSA Certificate

Using a FENSA-registered supplier is the easiest way to ensure you obtain a certificate. These professionals are certified to carry out installations that comply with building regulations.
After the work is complete, the installer may arrange an inspection to verify that the installation adheres to building regulations. They will then send the required paperwork to FENSA, who will issue you the certificate.

How FENSA Certificates affect the selling process

When selling a property, having a valid FENSA Certificate for any replacement windows and doors is essential. It gives any potential buyers peace of mind that the property is safe and secure, which could increase their likelihood of making an offer.
While it is not a legal requirement to have a FENSA Certificate when selling a property, buyers are increasingly savvy when it comes to property purchases. Their solicitor is likely to request to see the certificate before contracts are exchanged, so failing to have one could cause a sale to fall through.

How FENSA Certificates affect the buying process

On the flip side, when you are buying a property, it is important to check whether there is a valid FENSA Certificate for any replacement windows and doors. This will ensure that the property is compliant with building regulations and that there are no issues with the installation.
If a property does not have a FENSA Certificate for replacement windows and doors, this should raise red flags for you as a potential buyer. Your solicitor might scrutinise the quality of the installations, seek further details, or even request replacements to adhere to building regulations.

When buying a property, there are several additional costs you pay as well as the home’s actual price. These can range from legal fees, surveyor fees, moving costs, and Stamp Duty. In this article, we discuss the UK's infamous Stamp Duty, exploring its definition, introduction, and evolution over the years.

What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty is a tax you pay when buying land or a freehold or leasehold property over a certain value. The amount of Stamp Duty payable is determined by the price of the asset, how it will be utilised, and whether you own any other property. If you're a first-time buyer, you're currently exempt from paying Stamp Duty on your first property purchase for up to £425,000.

Why was Stamp Duty introduced?

In 1694, Stamp Duty was originally introduced to England as a transaction tax to raise money for the war against France. It first appeared on documents required to sell land, properties, and any other legal transactions. If documents did not have this ‘stamp’, they were not legally valid, which made sure everyone paid Stamp Duty. 

The money raised by Stamp Duty tax was used to fund goods throughout the war, such as newspapers, clothes, hats, patent medicines, and much more. This tax was originally intended to only last for four years, but since then, Stamp Duty has remained present in English society to current day.

Stamp Duty in the past

1765 - Stamp Duty was introduced to the British-American colonies. This tax began to rise, triggering the start of the American War of Independence.

1808 - Originally a fixed amount, Stamp Duty became introduced as a percentage of the value on transfers of properties, land, and shares of what was being transferred.

1950 - If you bought a property with a higher value of £30,000, you would only need to pay one percent of Stamp Duty.

1991 - Due to the major recession in 1991, Chancellor Nigel Lawson increased the Stamp Duty threshold to stimulate demand in the property market.

1992 - As demand grew, the rates were reverted to their original state (£30,000) in 1992. Over the years, the rates steadily increased, matching inflation and the rise in the cost of living.

1997 - In 1997, Chancellor Gordon Brown introduced two different bands of Stamp Duty tax: a lower and higher threshold. These responded and increased due to the rise in house prices.

2014 - Fast forward to the 2000s, when progressive charges were introduced. First-time buyers were announced to be exempt from Stamp Duty on properties up to £500,000.

2020 - A worldwide pandemic hit, and the UK government decided to introduce a Stamp Duty tax holiday to boost property purchases. This allowed all property purchases up to a limit of £500,000 to be Stamp Duty tax free.

Stamp Duty in the present

Currently, Stamp Duty is payable on all property purchases. The amount payable is all dependent on the value of the property. A property valued up to £250,000 has 0% Stamp Duty payable, as well as first-time buyers being able to buy a property with a value of up to £425,000 and pay 0% Stamp Duty.

If you purchase a property between £250,001 and £925,000, you will have to pay 5% Stamp Duty and if the property is valued between £925,001 and £1,500,000, you will pay 10% Stamp Duty. Finally, any property above £1,500,001 has 12% Stamp Duty payable.

Stamp Duty in the future

So, as you can see, Stamp Duty has been around for over 329 years! And it shows no sign of going away. With a change of election having occurred in July 2024, the future of Stamp Duty is most likely going to change. The main change that has been announced to occur under the new government is first-time buyer relief.

Currently, the first-time buyer relief is set at £425,000, but the new Labour government plans to reduce this to £300,000 in April 2025. Labour have also decided to introduce an extra 1% raise on Stamp Duty for non-UK residents, meaning the surcharge will increase to an extra 3% when they purchase a residential property in the UK.

The past of Stamp Duty

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The present of Stamp Duty

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The future of Stamp Duty

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