Guidance for landlords

Meeting safety standards 

Landlords must ensure tenant safety by adhering to the following safety measures: 

• Smoke alarms: install a smoke alarm on every floor of the property
• Carbon monoxide detectors: place detectors in rooms with solid fuel-burning appliances, such as coal fires or wood-burning stoves
• Gas safety: obtain a gas safety certificate from a qualified Gas Safe Engineer to confirm all gas appliances, pipes, and flues are safe every 12 months 
• Fire safety: ensure all furniture meets safety standards and displays the appropriate labels to reduce fire risk
• Electrical safety: ensure all electrical devices are safe for use. An Installation Survey or Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is recommended for compliance
• Water safety: maintain a proper water supply to protect tenants from Legionella
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): every rental property must have an EPC, unless exempt. The EPC must be rated E or above in accordance with MEES regulations. 

The Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) permits local authorities to assess rental properties for hazards to help maintain high standards. The council may carry out an inspection following a license application, local project, or if we receive a complaint or information from another agency, service or source. We would usually give landlords notice of an inspection, but sometimes this is not appropriate or possible.

Right to Rent checks

Landlords in England must conduct Right to Rent checks for new tenants to verify that all occupiers aged 18 and over have the legal right to reside in the UK. Non-compliance with the Immigration Act can result in unlimited fines and up to five years in prison for the landlord. Some types of accommodation may be exempt from these checks, including university-provided student accommodation, or holiday lets. 

Information for your tenant 

Provide your tenant with the landlord’s full name and address, or the details of their letting agent. Tenants must also receive a copy of the Government’s “How to Rent” guide, which offers practical advice for before and during a tenancy. 

Protecting a tenant’s deposit 

For assured shorthold tenancies (AST), landlords must protect the tenancy deposit with a UK government-approved deposit protection scheme. Failure to do so can result in fines and complications in ending the tenancy. Deposits should be returned in full at the end of the tenancy unless there are disputes over property damage or unpaid rent.

Repairs 

Landlords are responsible for most repairs to the exterior or structure of the property, including issues with the roof, chimneys, walls, guttering, and drains. They must also ensure that the equipment for supplying water, gas, and electricity is in safe working order. 

Accessing the property 

Landlords will need to access the property occasionally for repairs and inspections. This should be done with reasonable notice and at a suitable time agreed upon with the tenant, as outlined in the tenancy agreement.