If you’re not sure about your responsibilities as a landlord, we can give you advice on working with your tenants and the law.
As a landlord, you must follow:
- housing acts
- Environmental Protection Act
- Landlord and Tenant Act
- Planning and Building Control legislation
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations 2015
- Deregulation Act 2015 - Retaliatory evictions
- Tenant Fees Act
Working with your tenants
At the start of a tenancy, you should clearly explain what you and your tenants are responsible for.
If your property needs major repairs, you’ll need to arrange this. You cannot expect your tenants to pay for them.
Your tenants will be responsible for small repairs like:
- cosmetic decorating
- gardening
- changing plugs and light bulbs
- unblocking sinks, toilets and drains.
If your tenants are not confident with DIY, you could recommend or put them in touch with contractors.
Inspections
Our private sector housing team uses the Housing Health and Safety Rating System guidelines when inspecting properties. Your properties must meet the legal standards of this document.
Read our private sector housing enforcement policy.
Rent deposit scheme protection
If your tenant has paid a cash deposit for the property, you must make sure it’s registered with a deposit protection scheme.
Once the deposit is registered, you must give your tenants a copy of the deposit protection certificate. We recommend you give this to them in person and they sign a receipt to confirm they have it.
A deposit does not have to be registered if you received it as a bond guarantee certificate through our rent deposit scheme.
Gas and electricity installations
All gas installations and appliances must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered installer. The installation must meet the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
All electrical installations should meet BS7671: 1992 (requirements for low voltage electrical appliances). Work must be completed by a contractor registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting or another recognised organisation.
You must get an Energy Performance Certificate for your property before you advertise it. You’ll also need to give this to your tenants.
Paying guests
If you run a bed and breakfast, guest house or a self-catering property, there’s government guidance on making premises safe from fire.
Read fire safety guidance for the hospitality industry.