Basic factors for landlords to consider when letting a property
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)