Prepare the property
First impressions matter. A clean, well-presented, safe property lets faster and achieves a higher rent. Before marketing, make sure the property is in good order and ready for a tenant to move in.
- Carry out any outstanding repairs and redecoration
- Deep clean throughout, including carpets and appliances
- Decide whether to let furnished or unfurnished
- Ensure all appliances are working and safe
Meet your legal obligations
This is the most important step. Letting a property without the right safety certificates and registrations is illegal and can result in serious penalties. The core legal requirements include:
- A valid Gas Safety Certificate, renewed annually
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), renewed every five years
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated E or above
- Working smoke alarms on every floor and CO alarms where required
- Right to Rent checks on all adult occupiers
- An HMO licence, if the property qualifies as a House in Multiple Occupation
- Registration on the new Register Your Rental Property service once your region opens (London: July to October 2027)
Value and market the property
Setting the right rent is a balance: too high and the property sits empty, too low and you lose income. An accurate, local valuation backed by real market data gets it right. Once priced, the property should be marketed professionally with quality photos across the major portals.
- Get an accurate, data-led rental valuation
- Professional photography and a strong listing
- Advertising on the major portals and beyond, with a single asking rent
- Consider specialist demand: care, corporate and operator lets
Find and reference the tenant
Finding a tenant is easy; finding the right tenant takes diligence. Thorough referencing protects your income and your property. Every applicant should be properly vetted before you accept them.
- Accompanied viewings with qualified applicants
- Credit checks and affordability assessment
- Employment and income verification
- Previous landlord references and Right to Rent checks
The tenancy agreement
A properly drafted tenancy agreement protects both you and the tenant and sets out everyone’s rights and responsibilities. Since 1 May 2026, new tenancies in England are assured periodic tenancies under the Renters’ Rights Act, so the agreement and your processes must reflect the new rules.
Deposit and move-in
If you take a deposit, you are legally required to protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and provide the tenant with the prescribed information. A detailed inventory at move-in protects you at the end of the tenancy.
- Protect the deposit in an approved scheme
- Serve the prescribed information to the tenant
- Complete a detailed, photographic inventory
- Provide the required government information and all certificates
Ongoing management
Once the tenant is in, the work continues: collecting rent, handling maintenance, conducting inspections, keeping compliance current and managing renewals. You can do this yourself, or hand it to us under a Rent Collection or Fully Managed service and step back entirely.
- Collect rent and chase any arrears
- Arrange repairs and maintenance
- Conduct periodic inspections
- Keep all certificates and licences current
- Manage rent reviews and the end of tenancy
