Landlord Responsibilities in the UK: What You Need to Know

Being a landlord can be rewarding, but also challenging. You have to deal with various aspects of managing your property, from finding and screening tenants to collecting rent and maintaining the premises. But more importantly, you have to comply with a number of legal obligations and regulations that govern the rental sector in the UK.

As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that your property is safe, habitable, and suitable for your tenants. You also have to respect your tenants’ rights and follow the correct procedures if you want to end the tenancy or evict them. Moreover, you have to pay taxes on your rental income and take out appropriate insurance policies to protect yourself and your property.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by these responsibilities, don’t worry. You are not alone. Many landlords choose to use a professional estate agency like SLM London to help them with their duties and ensure a smooth and successful rental process. SLM London is a local real estate agency based in South-West London, serving areas such as Streatham, Streatham Common, Mitcham, Mitcham Eastfield, Norbury, and Thornton Heath. We offer a range of services for landlords, including buying, selling, and renting properties.

In this article, we will explain what you need to know about landlord responsibilities in the UK, and how SLM London can assist you with them. We will cover the following topics:

Safety and health standards
Tenant deposits
Right to rent checks
Rent and repairs
Evictions
Tax and insurance

Key Takeaways

Topic	Summary
Safety and health standards	You must keep your property safe and free from health hazards, such as gas, electricity, fire, and structural issues. You must also provide an Energy Performance Certificate and comply with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Tenant deposits	You must protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. You must also provide a clear tenancy agreement and inventory to avoid disputes over deductions at the end of the tenancy.
Right to rent checks	You must check that your tenants have the right to rent in the UK if the property is in England. You must obtain, check, and copy their original documents, and conduct follow-up checks if necessary. You may face fines or imprisonment if you fail to comply.
Rent and repairs	You must set a fair and reasonable rent that reflects the market value and demand of the property. You must also follow the rules and procedures for increasing or decreasing the rent, depending on the type and length of the tenancy. You are responsible for making repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, as well as to the heating, plumbing, electrical, and sanitary systems.
Evictions	You may need to evict your tenants for various reasons, such as rent arrears, breach of contract, or antisocial behaviour. You must have a legal ground and method for evicting them, such as serving a notice or applying for a court order. You must also respect their rights and follow the correct eviction process.
Tax and insurance	You have to pay Income Tax on your rental income, minus your allowable expenses. You must also keep accurate records of your income and expenses, and register for Self Assessment if you are not already. You should take out appropriate insurance policies for your property, such as buildings, contents, landlord liability, and rent guarantee insurance.

Safety and Health Standards

One of the most important responsibilities of a landlord is to keep their property safe and free from health hazards for their tenants. This means that you have to ensure that:

The gas appliances, fittings, pipes, and flues are installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
The electrical installations and appliances are safe and checked by a qualified electrician at least every five years.
The fire safety measures are adequate and comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
The structure and exterior of the property are in good repair and not dangerous or defective.
The heating and ventilation systems are working properly and not causing damp or mould.
The water supply is clean and not contaminated.

You also have to provide your tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before they move in. An EPC shows how energy efficient your property is on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It also gives recommendations on how to improve its energy performance.

Another requirement that you have to comply with is the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This is a risk-based assessment tool that local authorities use to identify potential hazards in residential properties. The HHSRS covers 29 categories of hazards, such as asbestos, carbon monoxide, falls, noise, pests, and overcrowding. If your property is found to have any serious or imminent hazards, the local authority can take enforcement action against you, such as issuing improvement notices, prohibition orders, or emergency remedial action.

To avoid potential risks and penalties, you should conduct regular inspections and maintenance of your property. You should also keep records of any checks and repairs that you have done or arranged. If you need any help with meeting the safety and health standards, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experienced and qualified contractors who can handle any issues that may arise with your property.

Tenant Deposits

Another responsibility that you have as a landlord is to protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. A deposit is a sum of money that you ask your tenant to pay before they move in, as a security for any damages or unpaid rent that may occur during the tenancy. The deposit usually amounts to one or two months’ rent, but it cannot exceed five weeks’ rent for assured shorthold tenancies (the most common type of tenancy in the UK).

There are three types of deposit schemes that you can choose from:

Custodial schemes: These are schemes where you pay the deposit to the scheme provider, who holds it for the duration of the tenancy. At the end of the tenancy, the scheme provider returns the deposit to the tenant, minus any deductions that you and the tenant agree on. You do not have to pay any fees to use a custodial scheme.
Insurance-based schemes: These are schemes where you keep the deposit in your own bank account, but pay a fee to the scheme provider, who insures the deposit against any claims that you may make. At the end of the tenancy, you return the deposit to the tenant, minus any deductions that you and the tenant agree on. If there is a dispute, the scheme provider will ask you to pay them the disputed amount, which they will hold until the dispute is resolved.
Zero deposit schemes: These are schemes where you do not ask your tenant to pay a deposit, but instead ask them to pay a non-refundable fee to the scheme provider, who guarantees to cover any claims that you may make up to a certain amount. At the end of the tenancy, you can make a claim to the scheme provider for any damages or unpaid rent that may occur during the tenancy. The scheme provider will then try to recover the money from the tenant.

You must inform your tenant which scheme you are using and provide them with a certificate or confirmation letter from the scheme provider. You must also give them a document called a prescribed information, which contains details such as:

The amount of the deposit and how it is protected
The name and contact details of you, your agent (if any), and the scheme provider
The address of the property and the names of all tenants
The circumstances under which you can make deductions from the deposit
The procedure for requesting the return of the deposit
The procedure for resolving disputes over the deposit

You should also provide your tenants with a clear and detailed tenancy agreement and inventory before they move in. A tenancy agreement is a contract that sets out the terms and conditions of the rental, such as:

The duration and type of the tenancy
The amount and frequency of rent payments
The responsibilities and obligations of both parties
The rules and restrictions on using the property
The notice period and grounds for ending the tenancy

An inventory is a record of the condition and contents of the property at the start and end of the tenancy, such as:

The furniture, appliances, fixtures, and fittings
The cleanliness, decoration, and maintenance
The meter readings and utility bills
Any existing damages or defects

By providing these documents, you can avoid disputes over deductions from the deposit at the end of the tenancy. If there is a dispute, you should try to negotiate with your tenant and reach an agreement. If you cannot agree, you can use an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service provided by your chosen scheme. This is a free and impartial service that will review your evidence and make a decision on how much of the deposit should be returned or deducted.

If you fail to protect your tenant’s deposit or provide them with the required information, you may face legal action from your tenant. They can apply to a court for an order that requires you to:

Return their deposit or pay it into a custodial scheme within 14 days
Pay them compensation up to three times the amount of their deposit

You may also lose your right to evict your tenant using a section 21 notice (a notice that allows you to end an assured shorthold tenancy without giving a reason).

To avoid these consequences, you should always protect your tenant’s deposit and comply with your obligations. If you need any help with managing your tenant’s deposit, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experts who can handle all aspects of deposit protection and dispute resolution for you.

Right to Rent Checks

Another responsibility that you have as a landlord is to check that your tenants have the right to rent in the UK if the property is in England. This is a requirement under the Immigration Act 2014, which aims to prevent illegal immigration and ensure that only people who are legally allowed to live in the UK can access the private rental sector.

The right to rent check involves verifying that your tenants have valid documents that prove their identity and immigration status, such as:

A UK passport or a biometric residence permit
A European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss national identity card or passport
A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen
A visa or residence card that grants them permission to stay in the UK

You must conduct the right to rent check for all adult tenants (aged 18 or over) who will live in your property, regardless of their nationality or whether they are named on the tenancy agreement. You must also conduct the check for any new tenants who move in during the tenancy.

The steps involved in conducting a right to rent check are:

Obtain: You must ask your tenants to provide their original documents before they move in. You can either meet them in person or arrange a video call to see their documents.
Check: You must check that their documents are genuine, valid, and belong to them. You must also check that they have the right to rent in the UK for the duration of the tenancy. You can use an online service provided by the Home Office to help you with this step.
Copy: You must make a clear copy of their documents and record the date of the check. You must keep the copies securely for at least one year after the end of the tenancy.

You may also need to conduct follow-up checks if your tenants have a time-limited right to rent, such as a visa that expires during the tenancy. In this case, you must check their documents again before their right to rent expires, or 12 months after your previous check, whichever is later. You must also report any changes in their circumstances to the Home Office, such as if they renew their visa or leave the UK.

If you fail to comply with the right to rent rules, you may face civil or criminal penalties from the Home Office. You may be fined up to £3,000 per illegal tenant if you are found to have rented your property to someone who does not have the right to rent in the UK. You may also be imprisoned for up to five years if you are found to have knowingly rented your property to someone who does not have the right to rent in the UK.

To avoid these consequences, you should always conduct thorough and timely right to rent checks for your tenants. If you need any help with verifying your tenants’ documents or using the online service, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experts who can handle all aspects of right to rent checks for you.

Rent and Repairs

Another responsibility that you have as a landlord is to set a fair and reasonable rent that reflects the market value and demand of your property. You have the freedom to decide how much rent to charge, but you should also consider factors such as:

The location, size, condition, and features of your property
The average rent for similar properties in your area
The supply and demand of rental properties in your area
The affordability and expectations of your target tenants

You should also decide how and when to collect the rent from your tenants. You should agree on the payment method, frequency, and date with your tenants before they move in, and include these details in the tenancy agreement. You should also provide your tenants with receipts or statements for their rent payments.

You may also want to increase or decrease the rent during the tenancy, depending on the circumstances. The rules and procedures for changing the rent vary depending on the type and length of the tenancy. For example:

For periodic tenancies (tenancies that run from week to week or month to month), you can increase the rent once a year by giving your tenants a written notice at least one month in advance. You can also agree on a different rent review clause with your tenants in the tenancy agreement.
For fixed-term tenancies (tenancies that run for a set period of time), you can only increase the rent if your tenants agree to it or if there is a rent review clause in the tenancy agreement. You cannot increase the rent more than once a year unless your tenants agree to it.
For assured shorthold tenancies (the most common type of tenancy in the UK), you can also use a Section 13 Notice to increase the rent after the fixed term ends or during a periodic tenancy. This is a notice that proposes a new rent amount and gives your tenants at least one month to respond. Your tenants can either accept the new rent, negotiate with you, or challenge it at a tribunal.

You can also decrease the rent if you want to, but you should get your tenants’ written consent and update the tenancy agreement accordingly.

Another responsibility that you have as a landlord is to make repairs to your property when necessary. You are responsible for maintaining the structure and exterior of the property, such as:

The roof, walls, windows, and doors
The foundations, floors, and stairs
The drains, gutters, and pipes
The chimneys and ventilation shafts

You are also responsible for repairing and servicing the heating, plumbing, electrical, and sanitary systems, such as:

The boilers, radiators, and fireplaces
The sinks, baths, showers, and toilets
The wiring, sockets, switches, and lights
The cookers, fridges, freezers, and washing machines

You should respond promptly and courteously to any repair requests from your tenants. You should also give them at least 24 hours’ notice before entering their property to carry out any repairs. You should not charge your tenants for any repairs that are your responsibility.

However, you are not responsible for repairing any damages or defects that are caused by your tenants’ negligence or misuse. For example:

If your tenant breaks a window or damages a door
If your tenant blocks a drain or causes a leak
If your tenant stains a carpet or burns a hole in a curtain
If your tenant loses a key or damages a lock

In these cases, you can either ask your tenant to pay for the repairs or deduct the cost from their deposit at the end of the tenancy.

To avoid disputes over repairs, you should conduct regular inspections of your property and keep records of its condition and contents. You should also provide your tenants with an emergency contact number and instructions on how to deal with common issues.

If you need any help with setting or changing the rent or making repairs to your property, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experts who can help you with all aspects of rent management and property maintenance.

Evictions

Sometimes, you may need to evict your tenants for various reasons, such as:

They have not paid their rent or have fallen into arrears
They have breached their tenancy agreement or caused damage to your property
They have engaged in antisocial behaviour or nuisance
You want to sell or repossess your property
You want to move back into your property

However, you cannot evict your tenants without having a legal ground and method for doing so. You must follow the correct eviction process and respect your tenants’ rights.

The eviction process depends on the type and length of the tenancy. For most assured shorthold tenancies (the most common type of tenancy in the UK), there are two main methods for evicting tenants:

Section 21 Notice: This is a notice that allows you to end the tenancy without giving a reason, as long as you give your tenants at least two months’ notice and the fixed term has ended or there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement. You can use this method if you want to regain possession of your property for any reason, such as selling it or moving back into it.
Section 8 Notice: This is a notice that allows you to end the tenancy if your tenants have breached their tenancy agreement, such as not paying their rent or causing damage to your property. You must give your tenants a notice period that varies depending on the ground for eviction, which can range from two weeks to two months. You must also specify the ground for eviction in the notice, such as rent arrears, breach of contract, or antisocial behaviour.

In both cases, you must use a prescribed form for the notice and serve it to your tenants in person, by post, or by email. You must also ensure that you have complied with your obligations as a landlord, such as protecting your tenant’s deposit and providing them with an EPC and a gas safety certificate. If you fail to do so, your notice may be invalid and unenforceable.

If your tenants do not leave by the end of the notice period, you can apply to the court for a possession order. This is an order that grants you the right to evict your tenants and recover your property. You must fill in an application form and pay a fee to start the court process. You must also send a copy of the application and the notice to your tenants.

The court will then send you and your tenants a notice of hearing, which tells you when and where the hearing will take place. The hearing is an opportunity for you and your tenants to present your evidence and arguments to a judge, who will decide whether to grant or dismiss your possession order.

If the judge grants you a possession order, they will also set a date by which your tenants must leave your property. This is usually 14 days after the order is made, but it can be extended up to six weeks in some cases. If your tenants still do not leave by the deadline, you can apply to the court for a warrant of possession. This is an order that authorises bailiffs to evict your tenants and return your property to you.

You should always follow the correct eviction process and avoid taking any unlawful or unreasonable actions against your tenants, such as:

Harassing or threatening them
Cutting off their utilities or changing their locks
Entering their property without their permission or notice
Removing their belongings or furniture

If you do any of these things, you may face legal action from your tenants. They may claim compensation from you or apply to the court for an injunction that stops you from evicting them.

To avoid these consequences, you should always respect your tenants’ rights and follow the correct eviction process. If you need any help with evicting your tenants or dealing with any issues that may arise during the eviction process, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experts who can help you with all aspects of eviction management and dispute resolution.

Tax and Insurance

The last responsibility that we will discuss in this article is paying tax and taking out insurance for your rental property. As a landlord, you have to pay Income Tax on your rental income, minus your allowable expenses. Your rental income is the money that you receive from renting out your property, such as:

The rent payments from your tenants
The service charges or ground rent from leaseholders
The fees or commissions from letting agents

Your allowable expenses are the costs that you incur from running and maintaining your property, such as:

The mortgage interest or loan interest on your property
The council tax, water rates, gas, electricity, and other utility bills for your property
The insurance premiums for buildings, contents, landlord liability, and rent guarantee insurance for your property
The repairs and maintenance costs for your property
The professional fees for accountants, solicitors, surveyors, and agents
The advertising costs for finding tenants
The travel costs for visiting your property

You must keep accurate records of your rental income and expenses for at least six years after the end of each tax year. You must also register for Self Assessment if you are not already registered and file a tax return every year by 31 January following the end of each tax year. You must also pay any tax that you owe by 31 January following the end of each tax year.

You can use an online service provided by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to help you with registering for Self Assessment, filing your tax return, and paying your tax. You can also use an online calculator provided by HMRC to help you estimate how much tax you have to pay.

As a landlord, you should also take out appropriate insurance policies for your property, such as:

Buildings insurance: This covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your property if it is damaged or destroyed by events such as fire, flood, storm, theft, or vandalism. You should ensure that your building insurance policy covers the full rebuilding cost of your property, including any professional fees and temporary accommodation costs.
Contents insurance: This covers the cost of replacing or repairing your belongings if they are damaged or stolen while in your property. You should ensure that your contents insurance policy covers the replacement value of your belongings, including any high-value items such as jewellery, electronics, or antiques.
Landlord liability insurance: This covers the cost of any claims made against you by your tenants or visitors if they are injured or their property is damaged while in your property. You should ensure that your landlord liability insurance policy covers any legal fees and compensation costs that may arise from such claims.
Rent guarantee insurance: This covers the cost of any lost rent if your tenants are unable to pay or if you have to evict them. You should ensure that your rent guarantee insurance policy covers any unpaid rent and legal fees that may arise from such situations.

You should also consider taking out other types of insurance policies that may be relevant to your property, such as:

Home emergency insurance: This covers the cost of any emergency repairs that are needed for your property, such as a burst pipe, a broken boiler, or a lost key. You should ensure that your home emergency insurance policy provides a 24-hour helpline and a fast response service.
Legal expenses insurance: This covers the cost of any legal disputes that may arise from your property, such as a tenancy dispute, a boundary dispute, or a planning dispute. You should ensure that your legal expenses insurance policy provides access to legal advice and representation.

You should also review and renew your insurance policies regularly to make sure that they are up-to-date and adequate for your needs. You should also read and understand the terms and conditions of your insurance policies to make sure that you are aware of any exclusions or limitations.

By paying taxes and taking out insurance for your rental property, you can protect yourself and your investment from any financial risks or liabilities. If you need any help with understanding or managing your tax and insurance responsibilities, you can contact SLM London for advice and assistance. They have a team of experts who can help you with all aspects of tax planning and risk management.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained what you need to know about landlord responsibilities in the UK. We have covered topics such as safety and health standards, tenant deposits, right-to-rent checks, rent and repairs, evictions, tax and insurance. We have also highlighted how SLM London can assist you with these responsibilities.

As a landlord, you play a crucial role in providing safe and comfortable homes for people to live in. You also contribute to the economy and the community by investing in property and creating rental opportunities. However, you also face various challenges and risks that come with being a landlord.

By understanding and fulfilling your responsibilities as a landlord, you can enjoy the benefits of being a landlord while minimizing the risks. You can also build positive relationships with your tenants and enhance your reputation as a responsible and reliable landlord.

If you have any questions or concerns about landlord responsibilities, or if you want to learn more about how SLM London can help you with them, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Remember, SLM London is not just an estate agency; it’s a partner for landlords who value professionalism, expertise, and customer service. Choose SLM London for all your property needs in South-West London.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope you found it useful and informative.

Contact SLM London today for more information or to arrange a free valuation of your property.