Starting your landlord journey?
Everything you need to set up as a landlord and let your first property legally.
Complete onboarding pathway for new landlords - from legal requirements to finding tenants and managing your first tenancy.
Legal Setup & Compliance
Get your legal foundations in place
Register as a Landlord
Complete all required registrations and understand your legal obligations
Register Your Rental Property — Regional Rollout from 15 December 2026
The Renters Rights Act introduces a mandatory national registration service called Register Your Rental Property (also known as the Private Rented Sector Database). Regional rollout begins 15 December 2026, starting with the West Midlands. When your area is called forward, you will have a three-month window to register. All landlords actively letting are expected to be registered by 14 November 2027. Check GOV.UK for your area's rollout date.
Required Registrations Right Now
-
1️⃣
Landlord Licensing (if required)
Check with your local council if selective or additional licensing applies in your area
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2️⃣
Tax Registration
Register for Self Assessment with HMRC to declare rental income
Insurance Requirements
Get these policies in place before letting:
- ✓ Landlord buildings insurance (mandatory if you have a mortgage)
- ✓ Landlord contents insurance (if providing furnished)
- ✓ Rent guarantee insurance (optional but recommended)
- ✓ Legal expenses insurance (covers possession proceedings)
Checklist
- ✓Check if landlord licensing applies in your area
- ✓Register for Self Assessment with HMRC
- ✓Arrange landlord insurance
- ✓Set up a separate bank account for rental income
- ✓Monitor for Register Your Rental Property rollout in your area (regional rollout from 15 December 2026; all landlords expected registered by 14 November 2027)
Prepare Your Property
Get your property ready to let legally
Safety Certificates & Compliance
Obtain all required safety certificates before advertising
⚠️ You Cannot Let Without These
Letting a property without valid safety certificates is a criminal offence. Fines can reach £30,000 and you cannot serve a Section 8 notice without them.
Mandatory Safety Certificates
Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
- • Required annually by Gas Safe registered engineer
- • Must be provided to tenant before they move in
- • Keep records for 2 years
- • Cost: £60-£90
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- • Required every 5 years by qualified electrician
- • Must be provided to tenant within 28 days of move-in
- • Cost: £150-£300
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- • Valid for 10 years
- • Must be at least rating E (C from 2028)
- • Required before advertising
- • Cost: £60-£120
Safety Equipment
- ✓ Smoke alarms on every floor (test before tenancy starts)
- ✓ Carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel appliances
- ✓ Fire doors and escape routes (if HMO)
Checklist
- ✓Book Gas Safety inspection
- ✓Book EICR inspection
- ✓Obtain EPC (check rating is E or above)
- ✓Install smoke alarms on every floor
- ✓Install CO alarm if needed
- ✓Test all alarms
Templates & Downloads
Safety Certificate Checklist
Track all required certificates and renewal dates
Find & Screen Tenants
Advertise, view, and select the right tenant
Advertise and Conduct Viewings
Market your property and show it to prospective tenants
Where to Advertise
- ✓ Rightmove and Zoopla (via letting agent or direct)
- ✓ OpenRent (popular for private landlords)
- ✓ SpareRoom (for house shares)
- ✓ Local Facebook groups
Right to Rent Checks
You MUST check every adult tenant has the right to rent in the UK before they move in. This is a legal requirement.
Acceptable documents: UK/Irish passport, Biometric Residence Permit, or share code from gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
Tenant Referencing
Check the tenant can afford the rent and is reliable:
- ✓ Credit check (use OpenRent, HomeLet, or similar)
- ✓ Employment reference
- ✓ Previous landlord reference
- ✓ Verify income is at least 2.5x the annual rent
Checklist
- ✓Create property listing with photos
- ✓Advertise on rental platforms
- ✓Conduct viewings
- ✓Perform Right to Rent checks
- ✓Complete tenant referencing
- ✓Request deposit and first month rent
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about new landlord setup pathway
What's Next?
You've completed the New Landlord Setup Pathway. Here are some related resources to help you further.
Guidance only. Landlord Handbook provides practical information to help landlords understand their responsibilities. It is not legal or financial advice. Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance and seek professional advice where appropriate.