Landlord's guide: letting a property legally across the UK

Letting a home is a regulated activity, and the requirements depend on where the property is. This guide sets out the areas every landlord needs to check before advertising, and points you at the official source for each nation.

Registration and licensing

• Scotland: landlords must register with the local council, and short-term lets require a separate licence.
• Wales: landlords and agents must be registered and licensed with Rent Smart Wales.
• Northern Ireland: landlords must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme.
• England: there is no national landlord register, but many councils operate selective or additional licensing schemes, and all houses in multiple occupation may need a licence.

Safety obligations before anyone moves in

• Gas: an annual Gas Safety Record from a Gas Safe registered engineer, given to the tenant.
• Electrics: fixed installation checks and a report; in England an Electrical Installation Condition Report is required at least every five years.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on the required floors and in rooms with fixed combustion appliances.
• Fire safety of furniture, and fire doors and escape routes in shared accommodation.
• A valid Energy Performance Certificate, and awareness of minimum energy efficiency standards.
• Legionella risk assessment for the water system, and general repair obligations.

Deposits and money

If you take a tenancy deposit you must protect it in an approved scheme and give the tenant the prescribed information within the statutory deadline. Deposit caps and timescales differ by nation, and in Scotland deposits must be lodged with an approved scheme within 30 working days.

Tenancy agreements

• England: assured shorthold tenancies are the usual form, and the statutory framework has been changing — check the current position before issuing an agreement.
• Wales: occupation contracts under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, with a written statement of the contract required.
• Scotland: the private residential tenancy, which is open-ended, with prescribed notice grounds.
• Northern Ireland: private tenancies with their own notice periods and a required written tenancy statement.

Advertising your property honestly

State the rent per calendar month, the deposit, the minimum tenancy, the availability date, the furnishing level, the council tax band and the energy rating. If a property is unsuitable for some households — for example no pets by lease restriction — say so up front rather than at viewing stage.

Managing the tenancy

1. Reference tenants proportionately and keep records of your checks.
2. Carry out a written inventory and condition report with photographs at the start and end.
3. Deal with repairs within reasonable timescales and keep a log.
4. Give proper notice for inspections and follow the correct statutory process for any notice to leave.
5. Declare your rental income to HMRC.

Official sources and further reading

• GOV.UK — Renting out your property
• GOV.UK — Tenancy deposit protection
• Rent Smart Wales
• mygov.scot — Landlord registration
• nidirect — Landlord responsibilities