There are many landlord responsibilities in the UK. Some are legal requirements, while others are optional – but often good ideas. All are designed to protect the health and safety of all involved in the tenancy agreement.
With around 20 per cent of all properties in the UK in the private rented sector, landlords across the country should keep up with their duties and responsibilities. Whether you use a letting agent or run things yourself, it can be helpful to follow a landlord checklist for renting a house.
Landlord checklist for renting a house
1 Tenant referencing
One of the first things you need to do is to reference and check potential tenants. Key things to check are their income, affordability, credit rating and employment references. You might also need to arrange and reference a guarantor. Landlords must also check a tenant’s right to rent in England.
2 Gas safe check
Rental properties must also have a gas safety check. This should be done by a Gas Safe-certified engineer, who can check your installations and gas appliances. Then, they will issue the property with a Gas Safety Certificate each year.
3 Fire safety
You also have to make sure the property is fire safe. You should install and test smoke alarms and have fire-safe upholstered furniture. If your property is in a shared building, follow all necessary fire regulations.
4 Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
You’ll also need to keep fire-detecting equipment. Install and test smoke alarms on each floor, and install carbon monoxide alarms when needed. For tenant safety, a carbon monoxide detector in any room with gas appliances can be a good idea.
5 Electrical safety
Then, you need to keep your electrics safe. Your property should be inspected periodically (currently every five years), with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) produced. You should also PAT test any appliances included in the rental.
6 Energy performance certificate (EPC)
Another legal requirement is an EPC. These show how energy efficient your property is, and are an essential part of marketing the property and the eventual agreement.
7 Secure the property
Whether your property is private or in a house of multiple occupation (HMO), you should take steps to secure it. Changing locks is a great first step. Try a new house checklist if you’ve just bought the property. Experienced landlords might change locks after tenant moves out and before the new one moves in.
8 Tenancy agreement
Next, a strong tenancy agreement will protect you and set ground rules for the tenancy. Find a template online, or work with a letting agency to produce one.
9 Tenant deposit protection scheme
All landlords must protect their tenants’ deposit in line with the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme. There are a few government-approved schemes – you should transfer the deposit into it at the start of the agreement.
10 Inventory
You should also go through your property and note all items, and the condition of all installations. Your tenant should receive a copy and note any amends – then, it can be used when they move out to decide how much of their deposit to return.
11 Buildings and contents insurance
Your usual insurances won’t generally cover a rental. Find and take out correct building and contents insurance. Of course, you should also check that your mortgage lender will allow a rental (if you don’t already have a buy-to-let mortgage or similar).
12 Landlord insurance
Finally, you might consider landlord insurance to cover things like rent arrears, damage, legal fees, and losses due to any period without a tenant.
Protecting your interests
As a landlord in the private rented sector, you should protect your property, tenants, and yourself. Follow all legal landlord responsibilities in the UK, and take extra steps to cover yourself. For more advice on securing your rental property, get in touch today.
