Letting a property comes with legal duties — and the penalties for missing them are serious. Here’s what every landlord must have in place before and during a tenancy.

1. Safety certificates

A Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) renewed every 12 months, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every 5 years, and working smoke alarms on every floor plus carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances.

2. Energy performance

Your property needs a valid EPC rated E or above to be let legally — and minimum standards are tightening, so if your rating is D or E it’s worth planning improvements now.

3. Deposits and right to rent

Tenancy deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, with the prescribed information served. You must also verify every adult occupier’s right to rent before the tenancy starts.

4. Paperwork that protects you

A signed inventory, the How to Rent guide, and correctly served notices are what make possession possible if things go wrong. Miss one, and a Section 21 notice can be invalid.

Or let us handle all of it

Our fully managed service keeps your property compliant automatically — certificates tracked, renewals booked, documents served correctly.

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