Introduction

Becoming a landlord in the UK comes with significant legal responsibilities. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in hefty fines — sometimes tens of thousands of pounds. This guide outlines the essential rules you must follow when letting your property to tenants in 2025.

1. Protecting Tenant Deposits

By law, landlords must protect tenant deposits in a government-approved scheme such as TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits. This ensures fairness if disputes arise over arrears or property damage.

• Maximum deposit: Up to 5 weeks’ rent.
• Deposit must be protected within 30 days of receipt.
• You must also provide the tenant with “prescribed information” confirming where the deposit is held.

Failing to protect deposits correctly can lead to fines of up to 3x the deposit amount and difficulty regaining possession of your property.

2. Issuing the “How to Rent” Guide

Landlords are legally required to provide tenants with the most recent version of the Government’s How to Rent guide. This document explains tenant rights and responsibilities, and failure to provide it can prevent you from serving notices in the future.

3. Annual Gas Safety Checks

A valid gas safety certificate (CP12) must be issued annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A copy must be provided to tenants before they move in and renewed every 12 months thereafter.

4. Electrical Safety Certificates

Since 2020, landlords must obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every 5 years. This must be carried out by a qualified electrician, and any remedial work identified in the report must be completed within 28 days.

5. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An EPC measures how energy efficient your property is, rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Currently, rental properties must meet at least an E rating, with government proposals to raise this minimum to a C in the future.

EPCs are valid for 10 years and must be shown to tenants before they move in.

6. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• At least one smoke alarm is required on every storey of the property.
• A carbon monoxide alarm must be fitted in rooms with solid fuel appliances.
• Landlords are responsible for ensuring alarms are working at the start of each tenancy.

7. Tenant Inventories

An inventory records the property’s condition and contents before tenants move in. It protects both landlords and tenants by providing evidence in case of disputes over damage or deposit deductions.

Inventories typically include dated photographs, detailed notes, and tenant signatures to confirm accuracy.

8. Working with Letting Agents

If you use a letting agent, always confirm they are following these legal requirements on your behalf. Ultimately, responsibility still rests with the landlord, so regular checks are essential.

Conclusion

Being a proactive landlord means more than just collecting rent — it requires a commitment to compliance and tenant safety. By securing deposits, carrying out mandatory checks, and providing proper documentation, you protect your tenants and yourself from costly fines and legal complications.

Tip: Create a checklist of these requirements and review it for every tenancy to stay compliant and professional.