CIA Landlords

Property Access

Once you hand over the keys to your tenant, you can’t just turn up and visit your buy-to-let property as and when you like. Here you’ll find advice on the correct protocols to follow when carrying out inspections and guidance on what might constitute too much contact between you and your tenant.
An image of a set of keys hanging in the keyhole of a door.

A Guide To A Landlord's Right To Enter A Property

16-10-2024

A landlord’s right to enter a property is dependent on receiving permission with 24 hours’ notice except in the event of emergencies such as a flood or a fire. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to provide notice and request access to the property when you need to, for example, conduct a boiler service […]
A figure of an aeroplane flying over a world map.

How to manage your UK rental property from abroad

17-05-2024

Managing your UK rental property from abroad can be very lucrative for your property portfolio, providing you with a steady stream of income on a monthly basis even in your absence. However, managing your UK rental property from abroad can also pose unique challenges, from dealing with time zone differences to handling maintenance issues remotely, and […]
Image of a landlord speaking with tenants.

Can a landlord enter a HMO without notice?

13-11-2023

Being a HMO landlord, it is natural to want to protect your investment and do all you can to ensure tenants treat your property with respect. You will want to keep the property’s value and rent it out to other tenants in the future. But there are clear rules about entering your property without notice […]
Image of a tenant and landlord coming to an agreement.

Can a Tenant Refuse Entry to a Landlord?

27-10-2023

You might be surprised to learn that when it comes to access, a tenant’s rights will override the landlord’s. If your tenant refuses you access, you won’t be allowed to enter the property. That being said, the rules are not simply black and white. Refusing you access could put them in breach of their tenancy […]

How to evict a tenant

03-09-2023

Not a pleasant job for any landlord to do, but sometimes the best solution is eviction. The new Renters Reform Bill has done away with ‘no fault’ evictions and now landlords must provide ‘justifiable grounds’ for eviction. Under section 21, many landlords had problems with evicting tenants when confronted with anti-social behaviour and non-payment of […]

A Guide to Carrying Out Property Inspections

16-08-2023

In your role as a landlord, one of your most important responsibilities is to undertake periodic inspections throughout each tenancy, so that you can be sure the property is being kept in a reasonable condition and your tenants are in compliance with the tenancy agreement. It’s a good idea to conduct these inspections regularly throughout […]

How often should a landlord inspect a property?

25-07-2023

It’s safe to say that the landlord-tenant relationship isn’t always the easiest to navigate. What remains clear, however, is that it’s in the landlord’s best interests to build a good relationship with tenants. Tenants are like any customer, if you want to keep their business, treat them well and hopefully, they do the same. Nevertheless, […]
property boundaries

What are my property boundary rights?

25-05-2023

Don’t get the measuring tape out just yet. In this helpful guide, CIA will help you get to grips with your rental property’s boundaries.  Understanding property boundaries is an essential step landlords, like you, should explore before you take on a tenancy.  Unsurprisingly, it helps you navigate legal responsibilities and maintain harmonious relationships with your […]

Can a landlord access a property without permission?

13-10-2022

You won’t be very popular with your tenants if you enter your buy-to-let property without their permission. Not only will you effectively be disturbing your tenants’ quiet enjoyment of the space they have rented from you, but you’ll be entering illegally. Knowing where your rights over accessing the property start and finish is key when […]

How to make a rental property more secure

18-03-2022

Every homeowner’s top priority should be to secure their property! If you’re a landlord, you have the increased responsibility of making sure your rental property is secure too for your tenants. Of course, no one wants the experience of being burgled. If your tenant’s belongings are stolen, they will understandably be upset. However, it’s not […]

Landlord Harassment

01-07-2020

When you hand over your property to be lived in by a tenant, you agree for them to hold the right to occupy it as their home. That means you can’t just waltz in and out just because you own it. Your tenant has ‘the covenant for quiet enjoyment’ which means that they are entitled […]

Top 5 Issues Around Property Access Infographic

09-01-2019

CIA Landlords can compare landlord insurance to find the perfect policy for your needs. To find out how we can help, contact us and get a quote today.

Property Access Jargon Buster

09-01-2019

The rules around property access are definitely ones that all landlords need to know about. It may be your property but your tenant probably has more rights than you. Along with the rules, get clued up on any of the jargon you may come across whilst dealing with any property access issues. Property Inspection Usually […]

Property Access Issues

09-01-2019

Often, a major cause of tension between landlords and tenants is a misunderstanding of access. The bottom line is that tenants have control over who enters the property, when they enter the property and under what circumstances. That includes the landlord. But what happens if a landlord needs to enter the property to carry out […]

Does A Landlord Have To Give 24 Hours Notice To Enter?

09-03-2018

A much-contested aspect of landlord-tenant relations concerns the exact terms on which a landlord is entitled to enter a property presently being rented out to a tenant. Any good landlord should know that they aren’t permitted to simply walk into a property, whenever they wish to do so, without informing a sitting tenant. The property […]
Damaged Property

Damaged Property

Most landlords will experience an issue of some degree with damages to their property at some point. We advise on how to handle deliberate and non-deliberate damage to the property or its contents.

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Financial

Financial

It’s so important for landlords to know their stuff when it comes to money and finances. Here you’ll find advice on everything from rental arrears, deposits and many other important financial issues.

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Illegal Activity

Illegal Activity

We explore and advise on issues regarding illegal activity taking place at a rented property – with everything from drugs and cannabis farms, to the setting up of secret brothels and gambling dens.

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Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Here, you’ll find comprehensive advice pieces on how to manage landlord and tenant disputes. Dealing with tenant and neighbourly disputes in the correct way is so important as a landlord, whether it be noise complaints or financial disputes.

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Landlord Insurance Advice

Landlord Insurance Advice

Landlord insurance can protect landlords in the event of fire, theft, loss of rent and more. Whether you’re considering cover or have just taken out a policy, we’ll guide you through the topic of landlord insurance.

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Legal Advice for Landlords

Legal Advice for Landlords

It’s important to approach legal issues carefully to honour your tenants’ rights, so pay attention to the details. Find advice on the most common legal issues landlords face.

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Other

Other

We explore all of the other issues and situations that may arise for landlords, so that you can feel confident and in-the-know.

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Pets

Pets

Should you relax your ‘no pets’ policy, or is an animal-friendly rental a recipe for disaster? We explore the pro’s and con’s of housing tenants furry friends and how to deal with unauthorised pets, complaints and damages.

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Property Access

Property Access

Once you hand over the keys to your tenant, you can’t just turn up and visit your buy-to-let property as and when you like. Here you’ll find advice on the correct protocols to follow when carrying out inspections and guidance on what might constitute too much contact between you and your tenant.

More information
Property Maintenance & Interiors

Property Maintenance & Interiors

Every landlord wants their rental property to stay in top condition, and tenants may want to decorate their new home. Read our advice about garden and property maintenance, and interiors here.

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Property Occupants

Property Occupants

Squatters and unregistered tenants and guests are more common than you might think, so it’s vital you’re aware of the rules and regulations and how to deal with these issues correctly. We explore the in’s and out’s of squatters rights and secret subletters so that you don’t get caught out.

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Safety Regulations

Safety Regulations

It’s a landlord's responsibility to ensure that a rental property is compliant with all safety regulations - from gas certificates to fire safety measures. Here, we talk about every safety regulation you should be aware of.

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Screening Process

Screening Process

It’s no secret that the screening process is so important to get right, as it’s the foundations to ensuring an easy and simple tenancy. Here, we offer advice regarding applications, credit and background checks – and everything else you may need to know before selecting your future tenants.

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Utilities

Utilities

There is often confusion around the topic of utilities. Even with the tenants’ names on the bill, landlords can still be responsible in some cases. We’ll guide you through the topic of utilities here.

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Home selling secrets

Amina was very helpful in sorting out my landlord’s insurance and spotted an error in my cover which helped reduce my premium.

First time landlords

We are first time landlords and you gave good advice and the process was easy and good value.

A pleasure to deal with

A pleasure to deal with, the lady on the phone was a credit to her company.