Letting a Property

Get the property ready

Before a tenant moves in, the home must be safe and meet minimum standards. In England the core requirements include:

• A gas safety check every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• An electrical safety report (EICR) at least every five years
• An Energy Performance Certificate rated E or above for most lets
• Smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where needed
• A licence from the council if the property or area requires one

Set the rent and decide how to let

Look at what similar homes nearby actually let for. Decide whether to let furnished or unfurnished, and whether to manage it yourself or use a letting agent for tenant find, rent collection or full management.

Find and check tenants

Reference applicants: identity, income, previous landlords and credit history. In England, landlords must also check every adult tenant’s right to rent before the tenancy starts.

The tenancy and the deposit

Use a written tenancy agreement that reflects current law. The rules on tenancies and on how landlords can end them in England have been changing under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, so use an up-to-date agreement and check GOV.UK for current requirements.

Protect any deposit in a government-approved scheme and give the tenant the prescribed information within 30 days.

Ongoing duties

Carry out repairs promptly, keep safety certificates in date, give proper notice before visits, and keep records of everything. A good relationship with a tenant who stays is usually worth more than a small rent increase.