Landlord Checklist For Renting Out Your Property

Image illustrating our landlord checklist for renting a house or flat in the UK

A landlord checklist for renting out a house, flat or room

Before you start renting out your property, there are a few things you need to do to make sure you’re complying with the law and your responsibilities as a landlord.

This Landlord Checklist will help you get organised and ensure that you’ve covered all the basics. Let’s get started.

1. Get a Gas Safety Certificate

Landlords in the UK are required by law to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate for their property before renting it out. The gas safety certificate must be issued by a qualified engineer, and it confirms that all the gas appliances in the property are safe to use.

Landlords who don’t have a Gas Safety Certificate can be prosecuted, so it’s important to make sure you get one of you have gas appliances in your property.

2. Get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Landlords are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their property before renting it out.

The certificate must be issued by a qualified assessor, and it contains information about the energy efficiency of the property. Landlords who don’t have an EPC can be prosecuted, so it’s important to make sure you get one.

As a landlord make sure you comply with regulations where you are required to do so by law

3. Get Landlord Insurance to protect your property

Landlord insurance is not required by law in the UK, but it’s a good idea to get it anyway. Landlord insurance covers damage to the property caused by tenants, as well as liability for injuries that occur on the property.

Landlords who don’t have insurance can be held responsible for damages, so it’s important to make sure you’re protected.

Photo of some rented properties in Bristol, England. — While it may not be required by law, it’s a good idea to have landlord insurance to protect you and your property.

4. Prepare your written tenancy agreement

A tenancy agreement is a contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out the terms of the tenancy. The agreement should include information about rent, deposit, rights and responsibilities of the landlord and tenant.

The RentalDocs tenancy agreement for England and Wales gives you the documents you need for renting out your property, all in one place.

Here is what you get with the RentalDocs Tenancy Agreement:

A tenancy agreement template in Word Doc format

The Word Doc version of our tenancy agreement is fully editable and allows you to make changes to suit your property if you need to.

A ready-to-go printable tenancy agreement in PDF format

Use the included printable PDF tenancy agreement if you just require a standard rental contract and you do not need to make any extra changes.

A landlord inventory template

Keep a simple track of important items in your property with the landlord inventory template, the item location and the condition of items upon rental, then sign it with the tenant.

A tenant advice document

A very handy 4-page editable document where you can specify extra information and points relating to your property, as well as your contact information so your tenant can contact you quickly if they need to.

A landlord advice document

An extra document with reminder advice for landlords, similar to those found in this landlord checklist.

At RentalDocs we believe our assured shorthold tenancy agreement is by far the best value for landlords in England and Wales. Download your tenancy agreement now.

Download Our Trusted Tenancy Agreement

For England & Wales

For Renting Properties: Tenancy Agreement Form
For Individual Lodgers: Room Rental Agreement

Let’s continue with our landlord checklist of things you should consider before renting out your property.

5. Register with a Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Landlords in the UK are required by law to register their tenants’ deposits with a tenant deposit scheme. The schemes protect tenants’ deposits and help to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

The tenancy deposit scheme you use will depend on which part of the UK you are located in.

6. Register with a Landlord Association

Landlords who are a part of a landlord association can enjoy a number of benefits, including networking opportunities, access to resources and training, and legal support.

Landlord associations offer their members a variety of services, from advice on how to deal with difficult tenants to help with filling out paperwork.

Joining a landlord association is a great way to get support and advice from other landlords.

Photo of a house with fire safety measures in place for the tenants. — Regardless of your property type, try to include a fire extinguisher and preferably a fire blanket in the property. Photo © Michael Dibb (cc-by-sa/2.0)

7. Get smoke alarms in your rental property

Landlords should install smoke alarms in their rental property. The alarms should be located in each main room of the rental property and should be tested regularly to make sure they are working correctly.

8. Get a carbon monoxide detector

Landlords in the UK are required by law to install a carbon monoxide detector in their property. The detector should be located near any potential sources of carbon monoxide, and it should be tested regularly to make sure it’s working properly.

Having a carbon monoxide detector and fully working smoke alarms are an essential part of your landlord checklist.

9. Follow the Landlord and Tenant Act

Landlords in the UK are required by law to follow the Landlord and Tenant Act. The act sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and it includes a number of provisions that landlords must comply with.

Landlords who don’t follow the Landlord and Tenant Act can be prosecuted, so it’s important to make sure you do.

Image of a rented house with a property inventory as part of the landlord checklist — If applicable, include a property inventory of items as part of your landlord checklist. Photo © Chris Heaton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

10. Make an inventory of items in your property

One of the most important things a landlord can do before renting out their property is to make an inventory of the items in the property. This inventory should list all of the items in the rental property, as well as their condition, and is another important part of your landlord checklist.

A landlord inventory can help to protect the landlord if there is any damage or theft caused by the tenant. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the property and each room, as well as any furniture or appliances that are included in the rental.

11. Add to your own landlord checklist

This is not an exhaustive landlord checklist, but these are some key things to consider before renting out your property in England or Wales.

However, you may wish to add more items when making your own landlord checklist before renting out your property. For example, there might be issues with access to your property, outside spaces and other items particular to your rental property.

We highly recommend using the tenant advice documents included in the tenancy agreement template for England and Wales as part of your landlord checklist, as these documents allow you to give lots of extra advice to your tenants.

Your tenants can then refer to the advice documents without having to find their official tenancy agreement, which they may have given to their solicitor or bank. The tenant advice document also includes your quick contact details and can be kept on hand in the property by your tenant.

Essential Reading:

Back to the Printable Tenancy Agreement, the Landlord Advice section or read more UK Landlord Guides