If you want to find out who the landlord of a property is, you would need to be a tenant of the property.  

Tenants can request these details from the letting agent of the property or the person managing the property if this isn’t the landlord. 

Registering as a landlord is a simple process. Once you have your property ready for tenancy, you can sign up using your local landlord registration services.  

If you live in England, it may not be compulsory for you to register depending on the area your property is based in. Landlords in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, however, are required to register by law. 

There are some circumstances in which you may not be able to rent out property as a landlord.  

This applies to those who are planning on renting out a house or flat that they already pay for with the help of a residential mortgage.  

Landlords can only use a buy to let mortgage for rental properties, so you would need to make the switch from residential.  

Another circumstance that could prevent you from being a landlord is if you own a property through a shared ownership scheme, in which case you would need to speak to all parties involved, including the housing association, to find out what you can do. 

Becoming a landlord isn’t always an easy ride. While buy to let investment is undoubtedly one of the best ways to invest your money and build wealth, there are still some risks involved with being a landlord and owning a rental property. 

One of the most common risks of being a landlord is experiencing void periods wherein your property is left without a tenant for an extended period, causing you to lose rental income. 

Other risks include property market fluctuations lowering the rental value or price value of your property. Of course, with the proper research, insight, and planning, you can minimise the chances of encountering these risks with your landlord venture.  

We’ll cover some essential tips on how to increase your chances of success throughout this guide to becoming a landlord in the UK.  

Gas and Electrical Safety 

Along with fire safety, other requirements when renting out property include gas and electrical safety.  

Any gas equipment in the property needs to be fitted by a registered gas safe engineer who will continue to maintain the equipment by performing gas safety checks each year. The landlord should ensure that gas safety certificates are kept up to date. 

UK landlords renting out a house or apartment also need to make sure that the electric system within the property is up to standard.  

New laws announced in Spring 2021 mean that all rental properties in England require an electrical safety inspection every five years. 

Known as an electrical installation condition report or EICR, these checks will indicate whether a property is safe for the tenant to live in. Any landlords that fail to comply with this law now face a fine of up to £30,000.  

On top of making sure your property is safe for your tenant to live in, another one of the most essential requirements to be a landlord in the UK is to stay on top of energy efficiency.  

Before renting out a property to tenants, you need to obtain an energy performance certificate, otherwise known as an EPC.  

This certificate will let your tenant know how energy efficient the rental property is.  

The standard energy efficiency rating all UK rental properties must meet is an EPC rating of E. 

By investing in certain properties, such as new build developments, there’s naturally higher energy efficiency.  

Figures show that new builds require around 20% less energy to heat due to being constructed to a higher standard and offering better insulation. If you fail to adhere to landlord legal requirements on energy efficiency, you face fines of up to £5,000.  

Some landlords may be required to obtain a license to rent out property. The only type of property in which a landlord license is mandatory around the UK is Houses of Multiple Occupancy.  

However, the rules differ depending on the location of the property you’ve purchased. In some areas, landlords of any property type require a license.  

The best way to determine whether this is another of the legal requirements for letting a property in your area is to check your local council’s website.  

All UK landlords must carry out ‘right to rent’ checks. These checks are required for any new tenancy agreement and involve checking that your tenants have the legal right to rent property in the UK. 

If you choose to use a letting agent to help you with your venture, they will generally conduct these right-to-rent checks.  

If you’re renting out an HMO property (a house in multiple occupation), you’ll need to check with your local council to find out whether you need a license.  

For large HMOs, licenses are mandatory. A large HMO is classed as a property that houses five or more people from more than one household.  

Appliance maintenance is another thing that you should consider if you want to become a landlord. Those who choose to offer their rental property with furniture and appliances will need to keep them in good condition. 

This might mean hiring tradespeople to come out to your property and repair items like white goods. Again, if you decide to hire a letting agent, this is something they would typically deal with on your behalf.  

Another example of the biggest landlord responsibilities in the UK is to make sure your property is fit for human habitation.  

This may seem obvious, but it is vital to consider before renting out a flat or house. 

This means ensuring the building itself is stable, there are no damp or ventilation issues, there’s plenty of natural light, and there’s no problem with water supply or water drainage.  

For a full breakdown of the 29 hazards you must consider, look at the 2005 Housing Health and Safety (England) Regulations.  

We’ve learned about the rights you have as a landlord, but what about tenant rights?  

Whether or not you’re opting for a hands-on or hands-off landlord journey, it’s crucial to understand the rights of any tenant renting your property.  This applies when finding a new tenant for your property as well as when you have tenants in situ, which is when you buy a home already being rented out. 

One of the most well-known tenant rights is the ‘right to rent’. This is a check that landlords need to do to ensure their tenant is legally allowed to rent property in the UK.  

You need to check all new tenants over the age of 18, as it’s against the law to only check certain tenants. The only exception to this rule is renting out student accommodation, a care home, social housing, a mobile home, a hospital or hospice, or a hostel or refuge. 

All tenancy agreements must comply with the law and be fair. Tenants in the UK hold the right to live in a property that is safe and in good condition. They should be able to live in the property undisturbed, be protected from unfair eviction and unfair rent, and be able to know who their landlord is.  

Tenants also have the right to challenge excessively high charges that they disagree with. They have the right to have their security deposit returned at the end of tenancy, provided they don’t break any agreements put in place. 

 Pets 

Tenants now have more rights regarding keeping pets in their rental property. In recently announced laws, landlords are now no longer allowed to automatically ban tenants from having pets in their property. 

These new guidelines were announced in February 2021 and mean that consent for pets will be the default position. If a landlord objects to their tenant keeping a pet in their rental property, they must state this objection in writing within 28 days of their tenant’s request, and they must have a valid reason.  

The Right to Safety

Tenants have the right to be safe within their homes. All safety checks such as gas and electrical safety checks should be carried out before a tenant moves in, and any issues should be responded to promptly. 

The property should be in a good state of repair, and any structural issues that could be hazardous to health, such as mould and damp, should be dealt with.  

Tenant’s Deposit Retrieval  

Tenants have the right to have their security deposit returned at the end of tenancy, provided they don’t break any agreements put in place. 

The Right to Privacy 

Tenants have the right to privacy within their rental home and should be able to live in the property undisturbed.  

As a landlord, you will only have the right to access your rental property after giving the tenant at least 24 hours’ notice. 

 Protection From Unfair Rent and Eviction  

If a tenant believes they are unfairly evicted from the property, they can dispute this and take legal action. 

Illegal eviction can apply if the landlord hasn’t offered the tenant the correct notice period as agreed, they change the locks without the tenant’s knowledge or consent, or they are evicted without a court order. 

What Paperwork Will I Need to Provide? 

When you become a landlord in the UK, you’ll need to provide the following paperwork and documents.  

• Energy performance certificate (EPC). 
• Gas certificate. 
• Tenancy agreement. 
• HMO license (if you’re renting out an HMO). 
• A list of inventory if your flat is furnished. 

What is a Tenancy Deposit and Why Do I Need One?

A tenancy deposit is a deposit paid by a new tenant in your rental property. This requires the tenant to pay a sum of money at the start of their tenancy, which the landlord is then required to put into a deposit protection scheme. 

At the end of the tenancy, the tenant gets their deposit back in full as long as they met the terms of their tenancy agreement.  

Like maintenance costs, refurbishment is another possible cost of being a landlord that you may encounter.  

This only really applies to properties that need refurbishment and not off-plan new build properties.  

However, after you’ve owned a tenanted new build property for a few years, you may still need to explore this option. After a few years, some aspects of the property may start to look worn down and need a refreshing.  

The amount it will cost to refurbish your property depends on the state it’s in before tenancy and the level of work you plan to do on the property every few years.  

If you purchase a property as a complete property development project, the property will likely need thousands of pounds worth of redevelopment.  

However, most properties won’t need much money spent on them before they’re up to scratch. 

Usually, around £1,000 to £2,000 is enough to cover any possible refurbishment costs over five years. However, you should base this on your personal circumstances. 

Landlord insurance should be considered by anyone wondering how to be a landlord safely and effectively.  

There are several types of insurance that are taken out by those looking to become a landlord, including building insurance, contents insurance, rental protection insurance, liability insurance, and unoccupied property cover. 

Building insurance is possibly the most essential type of cover on the list. With this, the building itself is covered if you encounter any damage.  

It’s a good idea to take out landlord insurance and, if you have a mortgage, your lender will usually expect you to do so.  

You can get different levels of insurance – for instance, cover for the building and cover for your contents if the property is furnished.  

Costs will vary depending on where the property is, what kind of property it is, and the level of cover you want. Find out more in our guide to landlord insurance. 

This extra cost applies to those using a lettings agency to help run their property.  

Whether this involves simply finding tenants and collecting rent, or completely managing the property for you, you should consider whether this is something you want to incorporate into your landlord budget.  

The amount you may spend on letting agent and property management fees depends on the charge incurred by the particular agency you choose.  

To enquire about property management services for our own buy to let opportunities, please contact us for more details.  

Void periods are an unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable part of being a landlord. While a void period is more of a loss of income than a fee, it’s still something that every first-time landlord needs to keep in mind when planning a strategy and budget.  

A void period is when a property is not tenanted, which stops the landlord from generating income from rental payments.  

Before renting out a property, it’s important to think about the likelihood of void periods. Like many aspects of becoming a landlord, void periods are less likely if you do the right level of research beforehand.  

Researching the best UK areas is crucial if you hope to avoid losing income. This will allow you to identify areas where rental properties are highly in demand.  

Manchester is a prime city to focus on if you want to steer clear of void periods, generating plenty of rental demand from young professionals and students.  

Along with the city itself, you should also think about the part of the city your property is based in. New build properties in the city centre, for instance, tend to attract lots of demand from tenants.  

Landlords are required to pay tax on their rental income. The amount of rental income tax you pay depends on your personal circumstances and the amount you earn. 

Income from rent is taxed at the same rate as any other income you receive from your day-to-day job or other businesses. Currently, basic rate taxpayers will pay 20% tax on rental income, while higher rate taxpayers will pay 40%, and additional rate taxpayers will pay 45%.  

Find out more about income tax on rental properties in our guide to buy to let taxes. 

If you choose to purchase a leasehold property for your landlord venture, you’ll need to pay a ground rent fee. 

Ground rent is payable on leasehold properties, and goes towards the upkeep of the properties grounds, gardens, and communal areas. This fee is paid to the leaseholder of the property.  

When you buy a property, you need to pay a tax called stamp duty land tax.  

For buy to let investors, stamp duty tax is normally 3% of the property price on purchases of up to £125,000, 5% on purchases between £125,001-£250,000, and 8% on properties that are priced £250,001-£925,000. 

A stamp duty holiday is currently in place until September 2021, allowing investors to make tax savings on their property purchases. The full savings are available until June 2021, when landlords can save up to £15,000 in stamp duty tax.  

While it may seem that if renting a property out to family you wouldn’t need landlord insurance, this isn’t correct.  

You still need to get all the necessary insurance for your property, even if you’re renting it out to a family member or somebody you knew before the beginning of the tenancy.