Landlord Resources
Ten tips every landlord should know
Practical, no-nonsense advice for letting property in London & Essex, whether it's your first buy-to-let or your fifteenth.
Quick Reference
The essentials, in one place
None of this replaces proper legal advice for your specific situation, but it's a solid starting checklist for any landlord.
Get compliance right from day one
A valid Gas Safety Certificate (renewed annually), an EICR every 5 years, and an EPC rated E or above are all legal minimums before a tenancy can start.
Protect the deposit correctly
Deposits must go into a government-approved scheme within 30 days, with the prescribed information served to the tenant. Missing this can block a Section 8 claim later.
Reference every tenant properly
Income checks, credit history, a previous landlord reference and a right to rent check aren't optional extras. They're your best protection against a problem tenancy.
Always provide the 'How to Rent' guide
It's a legal requirement to give tenants the current government 'How to Rent' guide at the start of a tenancy, and to re-serve it if the guide is updated.
Price it right from the start
An inflated asking rent almost always leads to a longer void period and a lower final price than pricing accurately against genuine local comparables from day one.
Get proper landlord insurance
Standard home insurance won't cover a let property. Landlord buildings cover, contents (if furnished), and rent guarantee or legal expenses cover are all worth budgeting for.
Keep detailed records and a paper trail
A photographic inventory, written communication with tenants, and receipts for any works carried out will save you if a dispute ever reaches a deposit scheme adjudicator.
Budget for voids and maintenance
Set aside a percentage of your rental income for repairs and the inevitable gap between tenancies. Treating a property as 100% profit every month leads to nasty surprises.
Understand the Renters' Rights Act
Section 21 is gone, rent increases are now more structured, and property standards have been raised. Read our full landlord guide to the changes before your next tenancy.
Consider professional management
If compliance deadlines, tenant queries and out-of-hours repairs are eating into your time, a managed service can pay for itself in time saved and problems avoided.
Want the full picture?
Read our complete, step-by-step guide to letting a property properly.