Sub-letting

If you are a leaseholder and want to sub-let your property, you must let us know. This is because:

  • we need up-to-date contact information for all leaseholders so that you get your service charges on time and so we can contact you if any problems arise
  • some leases need a deed of covenant to be signed by the leaseholder and their tenants. This protects you, as a landlord, by establishing a direct relationship between the Royal Borough of Greenwich and your tenants. This means that we can take action against them for breaches of the lease
  • leaseholders who sub-let their property are not entitled to the concession of paying their service charges by instalments. Payment of service charges is due within 21 days of the invoice date.

Download a guide to sub-letting your home

Gas safety

If you sub-let your property for a term of less than seven years, you have the legal obligations of a landlord and you must:

  • ensure that gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition
  • have annual safety checks carried out by a Gas Safe registered gas installer. You must ensure that the checks are undertaken at least within the 12 months prior to the beginning of a new lease
  • keep records of each safety check for at least two years.
  • issue a copy of the latest safety check to the existing tenant within 28 days and to any new tenant before they move in
  • send a copy of the certificate to the operations manager at the address shown.

If you use a managing agent, you need to ensure that the management contract clearly specifies who is responsible for making sure that maintenance and safety check obligations are met and records kept.

You can find further information on the Gas Safe website and the Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety pages.

What if I don't get the checks done?

There are penalties if you do not carry out checks. You may be prosecuted with a maximum fine of £5,000 for each offence.

If the case is referred to the Crown Court, the maximum penalty may be an unlimited fine and the possibility of imprisonment.