Landlord information zone

This consolidated guidance is for landlords and tenants in the private rented sector produced by the Government - Landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities in the private rented sector.

Licensing: Make sure your property complies with HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) legislation.

Energy Performance Certificate: Organise this to be ready or prepared by an accredited assessor and available before your property is marketed. This must be provided to your tenant at sign up also.

Electrical checks: Provide a copy of an Electrical Installation condition Report (EICR)

Referencing: Use an established referencing service to check your tenant’s ability to pay rent and their financial record is without blemishes.

Right to rent: Landlords are required to check the ID of all prospective adult tenants and must sign, date and retain a copy if the documents on file.

Tenancy agreement: Make sure your assured shorthold tenancy agreement set out the expectations and legally binding obligations of both landlord and tenant.

Inventory check in: Whether you conduct the inventory yourself or instruct an independent provider, make sure a comprehensive, unbiased and ‘professional standard’ inventory report is completed before of on the day of check in.

Deposit protection: You must place your tenants deposit in a government-authorised tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving the deposit.

Prescribed information: This must be given to the tenant within 30 days of the deposit being protected.

Tenant information documents: Tenants must be given the Government’s ‘How to rent’ guide when they start their tenancy along with the Energy Performance Certificate and annual Gas Safety Certificate.

Gas Safety checks: Organise an annual gas safety check to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and provide your tenant with a copy of the inspection report as evidence this has been done.

Fire Safety: Comply with the current legislation which is one smoke detector on each floor of the property, and a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in rooms with a solid fuel appliance.

Fire Safety in HMOs: Fire alarm systems provided in HMOs must be checked regularly, and landlords, must ensure the means of escape is unobstructed.

Health & Safety: make sure the property is safe and free from health hazards and kept in a good state of repair.

Utilities: Landlords need to ensure the utilities and council tax bills are put in the name of the tenants, unless the property is an HMO with individuals on different contracts.

Liaising with your tenants: You will need to be reachable during normal office hours so that you can respond to tenant queries promptly.

Repairs: Establish a network of property professionals who can attend to repairs promptly and efficiently, and who will treat the tenants and their home in a professional, considerate manner.

Renewing tenancies: Diarise tenancy end dates for renewals.

Ending the tenancy: You must follow strict legal procedures if you want your tenants to leave your property, even if the fixed term has expired. 

Data protection: You must ensure you are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Last updated Thursday, 3rd August 2023

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