At Davis-Reynoldson Lettings, we take pride in managing only those properties that align with our high standards of quality and maintenance. Our hands-on approach ensures that both landlords and tenants can have confidence that their expectations will be met consistently.
We maintain strict criteria and will not accept properties that we consider to be below our standards. We believe that respect for the accommodation is essential, and we expect both landlords and tenants to uphold this principle while the property is under our management.
Additionally, we are committed to ethical property management and will not knowingly represent so-called “rogue landlords” who fail to maintain their properties to an appropriate standard. Our focus is on fostering a positive and respectful rental experience for all involved, ensuring that properties are safe, well-maintained, and a pleasure to live in.
All properties let or managed by Davis-Reynoldson Lettings must meet habitable standards.

Housing standards
A property is expected to meet certain housing standards to be considered fit for human habitation. It must be free from health and safety hazards. The landlord must usually make sure that the property meets these standards before the tenancy is set up and at all times throughout the tenancy. If the property you let out does not satisfy these criteria and is a health risk, a tenant may be able to take legal action against you.

You must make sure that:
Water, electricity, gas suplies and sanitation are in working order (for example, drains, basins, sinks, baths and WCs)
The room and water heating equipment are in working order
The property is free from any damp that could damage the health of the occupier

The property must have:
Adequate heating, lighting and ventilation
An adequate supply of piped, wholesome water, satisfactory facilities for preparing and cooking food, including a sink with a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water
A suitably located toilet and a suitable sewer and drainage system
A suitably located fixed bath or shower and hand basin, each having a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water
In addition to the above, properties must comply with the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act. This requires you to ensure that your property and any common parts are ‘fit for human habitation’ from the time the tenancy starts and onwards.
It also creates an implied contractual term giving you the right to enter and view the state and condition of your property and to make repairs, as long as you give the tenant reasonable notice.
A property will be ‘fit for human habitation’ if it meets the factors listed in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. These include repair, stability, damp, natural lighting, ventilation, water supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences, facilities for preparation and cooking of food and the disposal of waste water. It must also not have any defects that could risk the health or safety of a tenant. This will include the hazards listed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which covers matters such as mould, electrical problems, and excessive exposure to noise.
If the property is not fit for human habitation, the tenant will have the right to take legal action to claim compensation for breach of the tenancy agreement.
However, you will not be required to carry out works if:
the tenant is liable for because of their duty to use your property in a tenant-like manner or as a result of a clear repairing agreement;
your property becomes unfit for human habitation as a result of the tenant breaching the tenancy agreement; or
you need to rebuild the property due to damage by fire, storm or flood or where to do so could put you in breach of statute or an obligation to a third party, such as a superior landlord.

For further information see the government guide.