The legal requirements a landlord must follow before letting a property in England:

  1. Gas Safety Certificate: A landlord must provide a Gas Safety Certificate to tenants before they move in, and annually thereafter, to ensure that gas appliances, pipes, and flues are safe.
  2. Electrical Safety Certificate: From 1st July 2020, all new tenancies (and from 1st April 2021, all existing tenancies) must have an Electrical Safety Certificate to ensure that electrical installations are safe.
  3. Energy Performance Certificate: Landlords must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to tenants, which rates the energy efficiency of the property, before they move in.
  4. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Landlords must install smoke alarms on every floor of the property and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a solid fuel source, and ensure they are in working order before tenants move in.
  5. Right to Rent Check: Landlords must check that all tenants have the right to rent in the UK before they move in. This involves checking passports or other official documents.
  6. Tenancy Deposit Protection: Landlords must protect a tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
  7. Landlord Licensing: Some local authorities require landlords to obtain a license before they can let a property. This usually involves attending a training course and meeting certain criteria.
  8. Fire Safety: Landlords must ensure that the property complies with fire safety regulations, which may include providing fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire doors.
  9. Repairs and Maintenance: Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property and carrying out repairs when necessary.
  10. The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS): Landlords must ensure that the property is free from hazards that could affect the health and safety of tenants. The HHSRS provides a framework for assessing these risks.

These are some of the legal requirements that landlords must follow before letting a property in England. It’s important to keep up-to-date with any changes in the law and to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about your obligations as a landlord.