Landlord Checklist
Landlord have many responsibilities to their tenants.
Becoming a landlord can be due to a number of reasons like an extra source of income, or inherited a house so you have become an accidental landlord. There are responsibilities that your role as a landlord comes with.
There many things to do when preparing for a tenants to move into a property.
Background checks give you overview of potential tenants and there are a number of ways that you can protect yourself and the property with insurance policies.
The most important aspects are making sure the property is safe and complying with legal requirement. There are quite a few but its essential to ensure you are not acting illegally.
Landlord Checklist
Tenant Referencing
Discover your tenant’s ability to pay their rent.
Right-to-Rent Checks
Check immigration documents and confirm they have indefinite leave to remain, and keep copies.
Tenancy Agreement
Official contract that gives the tenant the right to live in your property.
Include dates, duration, payments and required notice periods.
Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)
Landlords must protect tenants deposits within 30 days of receiving the funds with tenancy deposit protection (TDP)
Landlord Insurance
Provide buildings and landlord’s contents insurance.
Standard home insurance won’t provide the protection as there are risks that home insurance policies aren’t designed to cover.
Rent Guarantee Insurance
Insurance if tenants are unable to meet their rental commitments.
Safety Certificate
Gas equipment and appliances must pass an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Provide a copy of the gas safety check to your tenants within 28 days of the check being completed.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
EPC Indicates how energy efficient the property is and must meet a minimum rating of E.
Find a local accredited assessor.
Fire Safety
Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor.
Electrical Certificate
Registered electrician to inspect that all electrical appliances, sockets and lights are in good working order.
Inventory List
Not legal requirement but lessen chances a potential dispute over deposit.
Both tenant and landlord signed and dated to ensure that both are in agreement over the condition of the property.
Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair
Everything must be in a clean and in a good state of repair. Resolve all issues before the property is let.
The property must be returned to you in the same condition as it was let.
Related Checklists
Tenants Moving House Checklist
Things that need to be done before you hand back the keys.