Checklist

First things first, you need to make sure you are able to let your property. You may need consent from your mortgage company and the Freeholder/Head Lessor (in the case of a leasehold property) before you are able to let your property.

You need to find out if your property is classified as an HMO (examples of HMOs are bedsits or shared houses/flats). If it is an HMO, you will need to find out if it requires a licence which you can then get from your local authority.

Review your buildings and contents insurance policies to check your cover is valid. Standard home insurance will not provide the level of cover required for letting a property so you will need to upgrade or even change your policy.

If your property contains gas appliances you will require a gas safety certificate for those appliances. You will then need to have these appliances inspected every year.

If your property is an HMO (even if it is not a licensable one) you must have five yearly electrical safety checks carried out by an electrician. On all other types of property there is no statutory requirement for electrical safety certificates but you should ensure that any electrical appliances are checked regularly.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all electrical appliances are safe so make sure they are Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) tested.

A written fire risk assessment is required if you are letting property as bedsits. It is not required however for shared houses or single dwelling lets.

You will require an EPC prior to marketing the property to let. Goldsmith Williams provides this service.

Make sure the property is in a good state of repair and that all the contents within the property are safe.

In order to make sure you are letting your property to good tenants, who will pay the rent and look after the property, it is essential that you get references from them and research them in full.