How to prepare your property to let
Preparing your property to rent out involves investing time, effort and money
Preparing your property to rent out involves investing time, effort and money. But it’s well worth making sure everything is in place from the outset.
This will help you to attract the right tenants, avoid any issues after they move in and maximise the return on your investment.
Getting everything in place ready to let a property can seem like a huge task and a legal minefield, so we’ve put together this guide covering all the essential points. There are over 168 laws, with in excess of 400 rules and regulations to let a property.
If you are new to this, it is worth considering using a qualified letting agent, making sure they have the legally required client money protection through a government approved scheme such as Client Money Protect, and are members of a government approved redress scheme such as the HFIS group’s Property Redress Scheme.
Before you let, do read our two ultimate guides which will help you to be compliant with all the lettings laws and regulations on taxes for UK landlords.
It’s also important to be aware that letting in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland can be very different.This information is mostly for England, so if you are letting elsewhere, please check for differences in other countries.
From landlords’ key legal responsibilities to carrying out repairs and what to include in a welcome pack, you’ll find it all here:
What are the legal responsibilities of a landlord?
Gas safety regulations for landlords
Electrical safety regulations for landlords
Fire safety regulations for landlords
Risk assessment for legionella
Energy Performance Certificate requirements for landlords
Right to rent check requirements for landlords with property in England
Tenancy deposit protection requirements for landlords
The ‘How to rent’ checklist
Repairs - what are the landlord’s responsibilities?
What do HMO landlords need to know when preparing their property to rent?
HMO fire regulations
New Fire Safety Regulations for multi-occupied buildings from 23 January 2023
Repairs – what are the landlord’s responsibilities?
Treating damp and mould
Decorating tips for landlords
The importance of cleaning
Preparing the garden in a rental property
The importance of preparing a tenant welcome pack
Arranging landlord insurance
You can find the basic rules, guidance and support on how to rent out a property and your legal responsibilities as a landlord in the GOV.UK guide, ‘Renting out your property’.
Whether you’re preparing to let your first property or are a seasoned landlord, it’s important to remember that you’re running a business and you’ll need a business plan.
You can download our business plan template for landlords, which includes a rental property expenses checklist, in our guide: ‘How to make the right business plan (and become a better landlord)’.
