As a landlord, you have several important responsibilities to ensure your rental property is safe, legally compliant, and habitable for tenants. One of the key duties is ensuring gas safety by arranging an annual inspection of all gas appliances, flues, and pipes by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must provide tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Electrical safety is also crucial. You are required to have the property's electrical systems inspected every five years by a qualified electrician, and to provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Portable appliances you provide should also be tested regularly.
Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of the property, and carbon monoxide detectors are required in any room that contains a solid fuel-burning appliance. These alarms must be tested and working before new tenants move in.
Before renting out the property, you must obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which must be rated at least band E. A valid EPC must be given to tenants, and it remains valid for 10 years.
You are responsible for protecting your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and you must provide the tenant with prescribed information about the scheme. At the end of the tenancy, the deposit must be returned within 10 days if there are no disputes.
In England, landlords must check that tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK. You are also required to provide tenants with a government “How to Rent” guide at the start of the tenancy.
Other duties include maintaining the structure and exterior of the property, ensuring all repairs are carried out in a timely manner, conducting Legionella risk assessments, meeting fire safety regulations, handling tenant data responsibly under GDPR, and complying with tax and licensing requirements where applicable.
Compliance & Regulations