Anyone who has a property in the UK that is not in personal use must be searching for “how to rent my property” and getting too much generic knowledge that is not even relevant, as per official laws. We have compiled a simple guide to help first-time landlords and busy investors who want a clear understanding of what they can do to rent their properties. Let’s start: 

1) Confirm you’re allowed to let and whether you need a licence

Before you begin on the journey, first check about your mortgage and lease (if you are a leaseholder), as you may require consent to let. You will also need to confirm with the local council if they are running any licensing schemes. If the property is going to be let to 5 or more people in 2 or more properties, it will be considered an HMO and will require a licence. Some councils have “additional” or “selective” licencing for smaller lets, so you need to check with your estate agent, like Cribs Estates. 

2) Get legal compliance in order (do this before marketing)

A property that follows all the rules can expedite the letting process and even protect itself in case anything goes wrong. What you require is: 

• An annual Gas Safe check on each appliance, with a record provided for the tenant.

• An EICR at least every 5 years by a qualified person, with copies provided on request.

• Smoke alarms on every storey and a CO alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (e.g., a gas boiler). As of October 2022, it was made official that landlords must repair/replace alarms when notified that they’re faulty.

• Your property must be E or above (domestic PRS). The official guidance was updated in August 2025; E remains the legal minimum for now.

3) Pick your letting agent

Selecting an agent that will ensure everything goes smoothly on your behalf will not only save time and effort but will also help you to focus on other tasks. Cribs Estates has a thorough understanding of marketing, referencing, rent collection, and maintenance due to its local presence. They can fully manage every step, including tenant finding, inspections, repairs, and ensuring compliance with updated legal requirements. Plus, they have network connections with tenants and portals, so they can market your property with HD photos that will ensure better enquiries.  

4) Price it right and prepare the property

Set a realistic asking rent by comparing local listings and recent lets. A quick refresh, neutral paint, bright bulbs, and tidy outdoor areas pay back in fewer voids. Replace tired sealant, fix dripping taps, and deep-clean kitchens and bathrooms. Small, simple changes often beat costly refits for ROI.

5) Take the holding deposit correctly, then the tenancy deposit within legal caps

Under the Tenant Fees Act, permitted payments are tightly limited. Deposits are capped at 5 weeks’ rent if the annual rent is under £50,000 (6 weeks if the annual rent is £ 50,000 or more). A holding deposit is capped at 1 week’s rent.

Once paid, you must protect the tenancy deposit within 30 days in a government-backed scheme and give the prescribed information.

6) Use a robust AST, inventory, and check-in

Issue a clear assured shorthold tenancy (AST) with fair terms and conditions. Provide the government’s “How to Rent” guide at the start of the tenancy, using the current version; otherwise, some notices (e.g., Section 21 under current law) may be invalid.

Commission a professional inventory with dated photos and meter readings, then have tenants sign it at check-in. It’s your best defence in any deposit dispute. Competitor checklists emphasise this step because it saves hassle later.

7) Move-in pack and onboarding

Hand over keys with a concise “house manual” that includes appliance guides, bin days, emergency contacts, alarm locations, utility information, and expectations for reporting repairs. Walk through alarm tests and show stopcocks and fuse box locations. It sets the tone for a calm tenancy.

8) Manage well: inspections, maintenance, and records

Schedule light-touch inspections (e.g., every 6 months), log issues, and fix hazards promptly. Keep compliance dates diarised: annual gas, five-year EICR, and any licence conditions. If you change anything safety-critical (e.g., a boiler), update your records immediately.

9) Keep an eye on rule changes (2025–26)

Policy is shifting. The government’s Renters’ Rights Bill proposes reforms such as abolishing Section 21, moving to periodic tenancies, a PRS database/ombudsman, and limits on rent increases (implementation is not immediate; timings are still being worked through). Track updates and plan, but act on what is in force today.

Quick legal checklist (England) you can tick off

• Gas Safety Certificate (annual).

• EICR (at least every five years).

• Smoke alarm on every storey; CO alarm where there’s a fixed combustion appliance; repair/replace when told it’s faulty.

• EPC rating E or above.

• Right-to-Rent check completed before tenancy starts (for England).

• Serve the current How to Rent guide at the start.

• Deposit within the legal 5/6-week cap and protected within 30 days.

• Licensing checked (HMO/Selective/Additional).