About ARLA
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 and has a national membership of about 1500 Letting Agents offices around the country.

In general terms ARLA exists to:-

- promote good standards and best practice within the Private Rented Sector (PRS)
- provide technical trading, advice and guidance to member firms and to their landlords and tenants
- regulate its member firms and protect client monies
- consult and work with the relevant regulatory bodies, Government departments and other stakeholders to generate a workable, balanced and effective framework to progress the availability and management of rented property.

More details about ARLA plus information for Landlords and Tenants and including a search facility to identify a local ARLA member firm, can be found at www.arla.co.uk.


Some brief Key points to consider when renting a property

Viewings
If you are viewing a property through a private advert (ie. Not via a Letting Agent) make sure someone knows where you are going and when to expect you back.

All prospective tenants should view the property at least once; never enter into an agreement without seeing the accommodation. If you are sharing, to avoid fallouts, make sure you have agreed who is having which room before you move in.

Tenancy Agreements
Since the 1988 Housing Act (as amended 1996) the most common type of tenancy for ordinary residential property is the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST).

Read the agreement carefully, recent regulations require it to be written in plain and intelligible language. Make sure you understand all of your obligations and responsibilities as tenants.

Inventories, Deposits and Damages
A detailed Inventory or Schedule of Condition is essential to protect you from mistaken accusations of damage or missing items and therefore deductions from your deposit at the end of the tenancy. You should be provided with this when you move in. Check it carefully, room by room, make sure you note any significant differences and send a copy of these amendments to either the landlord or agent within the first few days of the tenancy. Keep a copy of both the Inventory and any amendments so that you have the information to dispute any unfair charges made against your deposit.


Safety Regulations
Soft furnishings or similar furniture provided by the landlord must comply with the Furnishings and Fire Regulations and so should have a permanent label stating its compliance (unless it was manufactured before 1950).

Electrical Appliances provided by the landlord must be safe to use, have the correct plugs attached and, where necessary, Instructions or User manuals should be provided.

Gas - The law states that a landlord must provide tenants with a current safety record before the start date of the tenancy. This record (sometimes called the Safety Certificate) should list and indicate that all gas appliances are working satisfactorily and confirm that associated pipe work has been tested and ventilation is adequate.

Smoke Detectors - are a good idea, but not a legal requirement unless the property has been built or converted since 1993, or is classified as HMO (House in Multiple Occupation).
However most responsible landlords will have battery operated ones installed or will not object, when asked, if you wish to put a couple in place yourself.


More details about ARLA plus information for Landlords and Tenants and including a search facility to identify a local ARLA member firm, can be found at www.arla.co.uk.

www.arla.co.uk