Here you can find useful guides and information to download which you might find of help and assistance.
Please note: Homestamp accepts no responsibility for third party content linked to below, or its accuracy.
How to Rent Guide
The government has produced a guide for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. Called ‘How to Rent’, it provides a checklist and more detailed information on each stage of the process. As part of legislation updates from 1st October 2015 – landlords will be required to give new tenants a hard copy or email version of the guide. The guide contains information including :
- what to look out for before renting
- living in a rented home
- what happens at the end of a tenancy
- what to do if things go wrong
This publication can be viewed on a smartphone where links to more detailed guidance and advice are also provided. Download by clicking on the link below.
The PDF contains important hyperlinks, which may not work on some Android or Windows devices. Please note this document may be updated – for further information or updates visit www.gov.uk and search for ‘How to Rent.’
The Smoke Alarm and Carbonoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
This explanatory booklet is designed to help landlords further understand and comply with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.
The regulations will come into force on 1 October 2015; increasing the safety of private sector tenants.
• The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 explantory booklet for landlords
‘Right to Rent’
From 1 December 2014, some landlords will need to check that someone has the right to live in the UK before letting a property to them. This includes landlords who take in lodgers or sub-let property.
In most cases you’ll be able to carry out the checks without contacting the Home Office. All you need to do is check evidence of a person’s identity and citizenship, for example a passport or biometric residence permit.
The right to rent checks only apply to:
- landlords in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton
- all adults aged 18 and over living at the property
- new tenancy agreements starting on or after 1 December 2014
If you let a property after this date to someone who doesn’t have the right to rent, you could be fined up to £3,000.
For more information visit the government portal at: www.Gov.uk
- ’Right to Rent’ Leaflet
- Code of practice on illegal immigrants and private rented accommodation
- Landlords Guide to Checking Immigration Documents
Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in England – A guide for tenants
This is a document has been produced by Communities and Local Government and gives a good overview on HMOs.
Assured Shorthold Tenancies
The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) have produced guides for landlords who are involved in assured shorthold tenancy. Click on the link below to DOWNLOAD the guidance document.
- For tips on letting a property on an assured shorthold tenancy.
- For advice on gaining possession of a privately rented property let on an assured shorthold tenancy
Keep Your Home Free from Damp, Condensation and Mould
This booklet gives some basic information about the different types of dampness that may affect your home.
Condensation is probably the biggest cause of damp in homes. A lot of information and advice is included in this booklet to help tenants and home-owners identify and reduce condensation as well as treating the mould growth often associated with it.
• Keep Your Home Free from Damp, Condensation and Mould
Supplied with thanks by North and Central Staffordshire Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
Homestamp: Read This First!
If you are thinking of renting or letting out a property………Read This First!
‘Important advice for tenants and lodgers on finding the right accommodation and for Landlords on how to provide it’.
Go to our dedicated Read This First page to find out more.
The Guide refers to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System as part of the Housing Advice section. This was introduced as part of the Housing Act 2004 as a way to assess housing conditions in England and Wales. This guidance for Landlords and Property Related Professionals produced by the Department of Communities and Local Government is available to download below:
• Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Squatting became an illegal offence on the 1st September 2012. The Ministry of Justice guidance – “Circular 2012/04 Offence of Squatting in a Residential Building” is available to download below.
Homestamp: Fire and Security Protection Standards Guide
Homestamp’s Fire and Security Protection Standards Guide gives detailed information and guidance for those individuals who rent out private property. Click on our Landlords section to bring yourself up to date.
Go to our dedicated Fire and Security Protection Standards Guide page to find out more.
Further detailed guidance can be found in the LACORS guidance, and is referenced in this Guide. For ease we have made this guidance available to download below.
Licensing Guide For Landlords
The Licensing Guide for Landlords in the West Midlands is a partnership document gives information to Landlords on the Housing Act 2004 which requires certain HMOs to be licensed. Note: This leaflet was produced in 2005, check with your local authority tat advice contained is still current.
To download a copy: Licensing Guide for Landlords
Sandwell Bugle
Sandwell Landlord Forum publishes a quarterly newsletter featuring the latest information and advice for Landlords.
You can view the electronic publication on their website HERE.
The Winter 2014 edition (ISSUE 19) is available to download HERE.
You can download the Welfare Reform Special Edition HERE.
Brushstrokes Project
The Brushstrokes Project, working with Sandwell MBC, are offering advice on home improvements, health and welfare and financial advice.
For more information read the Brushstrokes leaflet HERE.
Or you can visit their website www.brushstrokesproject.org.uk
How to reduce the likelihood of Cannabis cultivation in private rented properties
West Midlands Police have produced a guidance document on how property owners and managers can reduce the likelihood for their property to be used in the production of cannabis
• Guidance on Illegal Drug Cultivation
Child Safety – ‘Make It Safe’ blind safety campaign?
Reduce the risk from looped blind cords and chains. Follow the guidelines of the BBSA Make It Safe campaign – for information download the link below.
Safety Tips from the Emergency Services
You should consider safety throughout the year – but there are times of the year when risk may be greater. The Emergency Services have provided the following advice, for each month of the year:
• Safety Tips from the Emergency Services
