How Do I Find a Landlord Details

Are you a renter and wondering ‘how do I find landlord details’? In the modern age of technology, you might think it’s easy to find your landlord’s details, but this isn’t always the case, and there may be different reasons for it.

At South West Gas Services, we want to make sure that all tenants know what they are entitled to when renting, and that landlords know what their responsibilities are. Here, we offer industrial and commercial services, as well as domestic, so we can help anyone who needs it.

As well as offering services on oil and repairs, we strive to inform landlords and tenants alike so that you can get the most out of properties. Here, we will be focusing on landlords – including how to find a landlord’s details and some responsibilities that they have to tenants.

What is a Landlord in the UK?

Simply put, a landlord is someone who owns a house/property and is renting or leasing it to another person or company. As a landlord, there are a number of responsibilities that you must agree to, and will be legally obliged to follow through.

How Do I Find Landlord Details?

You should be able to find landlord details on the government website. However, it’s important to remember that the Housing Act 1996 allows for landlords and tenants to come to an oral agreement. Despite this, landlords legally have to provide their address and name in writing for tenants.

Why Would You Need to Find Landlord Details?

All tenants have the right to have their landlord’s name and address – but why would you need them in the first place?

The reasons for needing your landlord’s details can vary. However, the primary reason for needing these details would be to get in contact with them, usually when there is an issue that must be discussed.

Having your landlord’s details is especially important if you dealt directly with them rather than through an estate agent. In this case, speaking with the landlord directly may be your only way to get repairs done or any other issues resolved.

What Responsibilities Does a Landlord Have?

Landlords have many responsibilities, and these responsibilities may vary from country to country. However, in the UK, there are a strict set of rules that landlords need to follow, and responsibilities that they are obliged to see to.

Landlord responsibilities include:

  • Providing a copy of the “how to rent” checklist to tenants when they start renting
  • Providing an Energy Performance Certificate for all properties that a landlord rents out
  • Ensure that all electrical and gas equipment has been installed safely and is properly maintained
  • Double-check that all tenants have the right to rent your property (specifically in England)

  • Ensure that the property is safe and there are no health hazards

There are also financial responsibilities that a landlord must bear in mind. All landlords must pay Income Tax on the houses that they rent out, excluding the day-to-day expenses of running it. Additionally, they must pay Class 2 National Insurance if they count the work they do renting out a property as running a business.

Please bear in mind that landlords in Scotland and Northern Ireland have different responsibilities than those in England. Please check the government website to see an overview of landlord responsibilities and ensure that your landlord is fulfilling all responsibilities legally outlined.

Health and Safety Responsibilities of Landlords

Landlords are also responsible for the safety of a property, which includes fire safety and regular health and safety inspections. If you rent out a property, it’s your responsibility to ensure that carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are installed and regularly tested. Additionally, fire safety regulations must be followed for buildings such as flats.

The council uses the HHSRS, or Housing Health and Safety Rating System, to make sure that properties are safe for tenants. This rating system looks at all the potential hazards within a property, and may include things like electrical hazards, issues with the water supply, food storage issues, and much more.

Repairing Responsibilities of Landlords

In short, your landlord must take care of anything and everything that the tenancy agreement says they are responsible for. This might range from one tenancy agreement to the next, so we always recommend thoroughly reading through your agreement so that you know what to expect.

In most cases, your landlord will also be responsible for repairs such as:

  • Electrical wiring

  • The exterior and structure of the house you are renting
  • Fitted heaters and electric fires
  • Water tanks
  • Radiators
  • Pipework of toilets, baths, sinks, basins, and similar objects
  • Gas and water pipes

  • Boilers

The responsibilities of these repairs cannot be removed by anything that your tenancy agreement might say, and the landlord is not allowed to pass the cost of any repairs onto you. However, a landlord is only obliged to carry out these repairs when they know that they are required.

Because of this, you need to ensure that you always report problems when they arise. If they don’t know that something needs to be fixed, they will not be able to fix it. If your landlord refuses to undertake the repairs, you can take them to court.

Do I Legally Have to Give My Landlord My New Address?

No, you do not need to give your landlord your new address if you do not wish to. This could be for any reason, but the choice is up to you.

If you have no issues with your landlord, you might want to give them your new address so that they can forward any mail that might arrive at your old address. Beyond this, there is little other reason for your landlord to know your new address.

In the event that you are concerned about not receiving important mail, but you don’t want to give your old landlord your new address, simply ensure that you update your address where you need to. This would mean changing your bank address, Amazon address, and everything else you can think of.

How Do You Check if a Landlord is Genuine?

To help ensure that your landlord is genuine, we suggest that you always work with a reputable agent. However, if you find that you are working directly with the landlord themselves, you will be able to verify them by getting copies of documents such as a passport, driving licence, or a bank statement with their name on it.

Any reasonable landlord should willingly provide copies of these documents for you. If they refuse to do so, you may want to rethink renting from them, as they might not be genuine.

Final Thoughts

As a tenant, you always need to remember what responsibilities your landlord has towards you and the property that you are renting. They have a number of general as well as health and safety obligations that they legally need to take care of.

One of these responsibilities is providing you with their name and address, so that you can get in touch with them if you ever need to. If your landlord fails to do this, you can get in touch with Citizen’s Advice to find out what you need to do next. Hopefully, if you have ever wondered ‘how do I find landlord details’, you will have them safely stashed away.

In the meantime, if you have any issues or repairs that need to be carried out in a property, why not contact us to get the job done? You can read all about us to find out more about what we do, and check our news and updates for up-to-date information on renting properties, property safety, and more.