Your responsibilities as a landlord
Compliance, deposits and the paperwork that keeps a tenancy clean.
Free guide · 6 min read
Before you let
A property needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate (currently rated E or above), an in-date Gas Safety Certificate if there is any gas appliance, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report renewed at least every five years. Smoke alarms are required on every floor used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance — increasingly expected wherever there is a gas appliance too.
Right to Rent
Landlords (or the letting agent acting for them) must check that every adult tenant has the right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts, and keep a record of that check. We carry this out as standard for tenancies we manage.
Protecting the deposit
Any deposit taken must be placed in one of the government-backed schemes within 30 days of receiving it, and the tenant must be given the scheme's prescribed information in the same window. This applies whether the deposit is £500 or £5,000 — there is no exemption for a smaller sum.
During the tenancy
You are responsible for keeping the property safe and in good repair — structure, exterior, heating, hot water, and the safety items above. Entry to carry out repairs or an inspection normally requires at least 24 hours' written notice, except in a genuine emergency.
Ending a tenancy, and licensing
The rules around ending a tenancy have been changing, so rather than set out specifics here that may be out of date by the time you read them, we would rather talk you through the current position when you instruct us. Some London boroughs also require a landlord licence for certain properties — worth checking with the local council before you let, since the rules vary by borough and can change.
General information, not legal, financial or tax advice — every situation is different, so speak to a solicitor or accountant about your own before you act on it.