Landlord Checklist: Before Letting a Property in England

Confirm you are entitled to let and understand the property

Check mortgage consent, lease restrictions, insurance and any relevant licensing obligations before advertising. Some properties require selective, additional or HMO licensing from the local authority. The tenancy and property type can change the requirements, so do not rely on a generic checklist as a substitute for checking the council's rules.

Calculate the likely net return after mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance, management, void periods, tax and compliance costs. An advertised gross yield is not the same as spendable monthly cash.

Safety and property condition

Landlords must meet applicable repair and safety duties, including gas and electrical requirements and relevant smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules. Obtain the required checks and documents from qualified people. Address water ingress, unsafe fittings, heating issues and hazards before marketing; arrange repairs and a recordkeeping method for future maintenance.

An Energy Performance Certificate may be required and the property may need to meet minimum energy-performance standards. Check current exemptions and property-specific requirements rather than assuming that possessing an EPC alone establishes compliance.

If an EPC is legally required and no valid one exists, commission it before marketing rather than waiting until a tenant agrees to move in. Check exceptions and energy efficiency requirements that apply to the property.

Tenancy terms, deposits and tenant rights

Private rented housing law in England changed from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act. Review the current assured-periodic-tenancy rules and official government guidance before issuing agreements. Do not reuse outdated fixed-term AST templates without professional review.

Check the applicable deposit protection and prescribed information requirements, right-to-rent checks in England, and any relevant rules about rent demands, increases and possession processes. Keep tenancy paperwork, inventory photos and records of funds received securely.

For England's affected assured private tenancies from 1 May 2026, the new rules also restrict rent bidding and rent before the tenancy agreement is signed. Landlords must provide the prescribed written tenancy information. Older written tenancies required a government information sheet by 31 May 2026, while certain wholly verbal tenancies required specified written information by that date. Later exceptional cases have separate rules.

Move-in, management and ongoing obligations

Prepare accurate photographic inventories, meter readings, key and access arrangements and instructions for reporting repairs. Provide any required documentation when the tenant moves in. Keep a proportionate inspection and maintenance plan, respect quiet enjoyment and follow the notice rules for non-emergency entry.

Track income and expenses separately for tax and budgeting. Property-income tax outcomes can be complex, particularly with mortgage finance costs, so treat MMG's financial tools as indicative until any tax calculation is independently verified.