The rules for landlords in Devon and renting out a property have changed significantly in recent years.
With more than 170 pieces of legislation now affecting landlords, from gas and electrical safety through to energy efficiency standards and the ongoing rollout of the Renters’ Rights Act, keeping a rental property compliant has become a job in itself.
For many landlords, particularly those juggling more than one property alongside a job or family life, this is where things start to slip. A certificate renewal missed here, a deadline overlooked there. None of it is intentional, but the consequences of falling behind can be serious.
At Complete, letting a property well means looking after it properly, long after the tenancy agreement is signed. Our lettings and property management team is here to provide the knowledge, organisation and day-to-day support you need to manage your property with confidence.
Compliance-led property management
One of the benefits of letting through Complete is having ongoing compliance oversight built into your management service, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Our lettings specialists stay ahead of legislative changes across the private rented sector, covering everything from Renters’ Rights Act reforms and periodic tenancies through to property safety requirements, damp and mould responsibilities, and evolving energy efficiency standards.
That means you can access guidance on the full range of compliance requirements through one experienced team, rather than juggling multiple providers or trying to keep up with changing rules yourself.
For landlords in Devon with multiple properties especially, this makes a real difference. Certificates, assessments and legal deadlines are easy to lose track of. Having a letting agent who understands these requirements inside and out gives you one less thing to worry about.
What our compliance support covers for landlords in Devon
You’ll need a Gas Safety Certificate renewed every 12 months, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out at least every five years.
There’s also a requirement to keep on top of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, your EPC, which stays valid for 10 years but must meet the current minimum rating of E under MEES regulations, damp and mould responsibilities, fire safety and Legionella awareness.
Local authorities assess rental properties using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System, which identifies hazards including damp, mould, structural defects and unsafe electrics.
Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, you’re responsible for keeping your property safe and suitable to live in, both at the start of a tenancy and throughout it, so these aren’t checks you can tick off once and forget.
We also offer tenancy health checks for landlords who currently manage their own properties, so you can see exactly where you stand before deciding on the right level of support.
Keeping up with the Renters’ Rights Act
The private rented sector is constantly changing, and the Renters’ Rights Act is a major part of that shift.
As a landlord, the legislation changes how you manage your rented property and reshapes your relationship with tenants. Keeping up with what this means in practice is difficult enough on its own, let alone alongside everything else involved in running a rental property.
Further housing standards are also on the way, including the Decent Homes Standard being extended to private rentals and Awaab’s Law, which addresses serious health hazards in rented homes. Tenant expectations are shifting, too. Tenants can now request permission to keep a pet in a rental property, and you’ll need to consider these requests reasonably and respond within the required timeframe.
This is exactly why professional property management matters. At Complete, our role isn’t to find a tenant and hand over the keys. Our lettings specialists actively stay informed on evolving legislation, helping you understand changing tenancy structures, possession processes, tenant rights, compliance obligations, property standards and future housing reforms.
We also regularly host landlord seminars, educational webinars and compliance events, so you have ongoing opportunities to stay informed rather than only hearing from us when something changes.
Maintenance and day-to-day support made simpler
Compliance is only one part of looking after a rental property. Even a well-maintained home will occasionally need a repair, and managing maintenance remotely can quickly eat up a landlord’s time.
If you choose our fully managed service, you get ongoing support throughout the tenancy, including maintenance coordination, contractor management and tenant communication, alongside rent collection, accounting and regular property inspections. The result is less time spent arranging contractors, chasing updates and coordinating access yourself.
As a Complete landlord, you also get 24/7 access to My Property File, our online landlord portal, giving you visibility of tenancy details, rent statements, maintenance updates, inspection reports, safety certificates, applicant feedback and viewing statistics whenever you need them.
Looking after tenants and landlords in Devon
Good property management should work for everyone. You want your investment protected, your property maintained and your legal responsibilities taken care of. Your tenants want a safe, well-maintained home and a straightforward way to report problems.
At Complete, our approach is built to support both. If you want additional reassurance, our Premium Management Service goes further still, with rent protection insurance, legal expenses cover, specialist mediation support and guidance through possession proceedings.
More than just a letting agent
Being a landlord today means dealing with far more than rent collection and finding tenants. There are compliance requirements, maintenance responsibilities, changing legislation and the everyday needs of the people living in your property.
At Complete, we want to make that as straightforward as possible. From compliance-led property management to dedicated property managers and ongoing landlord education, we’ve built our lettings service around the practical realities for landlords in Devon.
And as landlord requirements continue to evolve through legislation like the Renters’ Rights Act, having an experienced local team behind you provides real reassurance.
If you’re a landlord in Devon and want to find out more about our lettings and compliance services, we offer a complimentary consultation where we can review your property, talk about your goals, and recommend the most suitable management approach. Speak to our lettings team today on 01626 362 246, email lettings@completeproperty.co.uk or get in touch via our website.