Frequently Asked Questions

SLC does not publish fixed public prices for landlord compliance services. Each quote request is reviewed manually so the price reflects the property, services required, access and availability. Submit a quote request and SLC will confirm price, availability and next steps before any payment is requested. Quotes are valid for 7 calendar days from issue unless stated otherwise. Once a quote is accepted, payment can be made by Stripe payment link or bank transfer. Payment in full is required to secure the booking date and time.

Yes. A valid Energy Performance Certificate must be in place before a property is marketed or relet to a new tenant. The EPC must be made available to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity and provided free of charge before the tenancy begins.

An EPC is generally valid for up to 10 years unless replaced by a newer certificate. If improvements are made to the property, a new EPC can be commissioned earlier to reflect the updated rating.

The current minimum standard for privately rented homes in England and Wales is an EPC rating of E. Letting a property below an E rating without a valid exemption registered on the PRS Exemptions Register can result in financial penalties.

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a rented property. Private landlords in England must obtain a satisfactory EICR at least every 5 years and provide a copy to tenants and, on request, to the local authority.

A Gas Safety Record, often called a CP12, is the annual safety check of all gas appliances, flues and pipework in the property carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Landlords must obtain this every 12 months and provide a copy to tenants within 28 days of the check.

Yes. Landlords in England must fit a working smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Alarms must be tested at the start of every new tenancy.

Awaab's Law sets statutory timeframes for landlords to investigate and remedy hazards such as damp and mould. It was introduced for social housing by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, and is extended to the private rented sector by the Renters' Rights Act 2024 on a phased commencement. Private landlords should treat damp, mould and other serious hazards as a priority compliance risk and act within the timescales set by regulation.

The Renters' Rights Act 2024 (Royal Assent October 2024, phased commencement) abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions, moves all assured tenancies onto a periodic footing, introduces a Private Rented Sector Database, a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman, applies a Decent Homes Standard to private rentals and extends Awaab's Law style hazard timescales to private landlords. Landlords should expect tighter evidence requirements around property condition, hazard response and compliance history.

Sunderland operates selective and additional licensing schemes in defined areas. If your property falls inside a designated zone, or qualifies as an HMO, a licence is required. Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence and can attract significant penalties.

If the property scores below the minimum standard, you cannot let it without a valid registered exemption. The EPC sets out recommended measures such as insulation, lighting upgrades or heating improvements. Once works are complete, a new assessment can be commissioned to reissue the rating. SLC supports landlords with EPC coordination and can help organise the renewed certificate within the property compliance record.

Statutory responsibility for compliance sits with the landlord. Where a managing agent is appointed, the contract should clearly set out which party arranges, holds and renews each certificate. Either way, the landlord remains liable in law and should retain copies of all evidence.

Landlords should retain dated copies of EPCs, Gas Safety Records, EICRs, alarm test records, How to Rent guide receipts, deposit protection certificates, and any correspondence relating to repairs or hazards. Records should be organised by property and be retrievable on request from a local authority or court.

The EPC is completed and lodged by the accredited Domestic Energy Assessor through their own approved accreditation route. Sunderland Landlord Compliance coordinates the booking and stores a copy of the certificate against your property record on the platform.

Standard turnaround is typically within a few working days from the date of inspection, subject to access and assessor availability. Urgent slots can usually be accommodated for licensing or relet deadlines on request.

Where physical works are required to improve a property's EPC position or address other compliance issues, those works are arranged separately by the landlord with their preferred contractor. SLC focuses on EPC coordination and compliance record visibility, not on delivering remedial works.

Year 1 covers EPC coordination, compliance record setup and 12 months of platform access. Annual renewal continues hosting of the compliance record, renewal tracking and reminders for upcoming statutory dates.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the risk-based framework local authorities in England use to assess 29 categories of potential hazards in residential properties, including damp and mould, excess cold, fire safety, electrical hazards, carbon monoxide, falls and structural issues. Category 1 hazards carry a statutory duty for the local authority to take enforcement action. Keeping statutory certificates such as EPC, Gas Safety and EICR current and organised helps landlords evidence due diligence if a property is ever assessed. See our dedicated HHSRS landlord guidance page for a plain-English overview.

Yes. Damp and mould growth is a recognised HHSRS hazard. Awaab's Law sets statutory timescales for landlords to investigate and remedy hazards including damp and mould, and is extended to the private rented sector by the Renters' Rights Act 2024. Landlords and letting agents should log tenant reports promptly, investigate the underlying cause, keep dated photographic and written evidence and act within the timescales set by regulation.

No single certificate satisfies HHSRS. HHSRS assesses the overall condition of the property across 29 hazard categories. Statutory certificates such as EPC, EICR, Gas Safety Records contribute strong evidence in specific hazard areas but are not a substitute for the broader assessment a local authority can carry out under HHSRS.