Who is a landlord?

A landlord is anyone who rents out a property they own under a lease or a licence that is shorter than seven years.

Landlords’ duties apply to a wide range of accommodation, occupied under a lease or a licence, which includes but not exclusively:

• residential premises provided for rent by:
  • local authorities
  • housing associations
  • private sector landlords
  • housing co-operatives
  • hostels
• rooms let in:
  • bedsit accommodation
  • private households
  • bed and breakfast accommodation
  • hotels
• rented holiday accommodation such as:
  • chalets
  • cottages
  • flats
  • caravans
  • narrow boats on inland waterways.

Short-term landlord (less than 28 days): Landlords duties apply where a property has been rented out for less than 7 years.

Long-term landlord (more than 28 days but less than 7 years): Landlords duties apply where a property has been rented out for less than 7 years.

Long-term landlord (more than 7 years): However, if there remains an implied tenancy arrangement, such as accommodation is provided as part of your job (e.g. vicar, publican), then we recommend that you carry out the landlord’s duties for the property.

Letting agent: The management contract should clearly specify who is responsible for the maintenance, gas safety check duties and associated record keeping. If the contract specifies that the agent is responsible, the same duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 that apply to a landlord apply to a letting agent. If the contract is unclear, the duties remain the responsibility of the landlord.