New landlord in 2026? Everything you need before letting your property

If you have a residential mortgage, you need your lender’s written permission before letting. Without it, you’re in breach of your mortgage terms — your lender could demand immediate repayment. If you have a buy-to-let mortgage, check it covers your intended tenancy type. If you own outright, this step doesn’t apply.

Check licensing before you advertise. Depending on the property and borough, you may need:

Landlords in Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Havering and Epping Forest should check their borough’s current scheme before marketing — requirements and applicable wards differ between councils and change periodically.

Before the tenancy begins, verify that every adult occupier has the legal right to rent in England. Keep records. Failure to comply carries significant financial penalties.

Once taken, the deposit must be placed in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within the required timescale and prescribed information served to the tenant. Keep proof of compliance. Failure restricts your ability to regain possession and can result in financial penalties.

Required before marketing. Valid for 10 years. The current minimum rating for rental properties is E. A proposed increase to C is expected in the coming years — worth factoring into improvement plans now.

Annual inspections by a Gas Safe registered engineer are legally required where the property has any gas appliances — boilers, fires, cookers, pipework. The certificate is valid for 12 months and must be renewed before it expires. Provide new tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Record before they move in. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

The electrical installation must be inspected at least every five years — the EICR is valid for up to five years, or less if the inspector recommends it. The EICR covers wiring, consumer units, sockets and circuits. A copy must be provided to new tenants before they move in. Dangerous defects must be remedied before a tenant moves in.

There is no fixed statutory interval for PAT testing in standard single-let properties, but landlords have a duty to ensure all supplied electrical appliances are safe. PAT testing is widely recognised as best practice, and may be a specific condition of your property licence — always check your licence requirements. It is particularly recommended for HMOs, furnished rentals and student accommodation.

At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and carbon monoxide alarms where required. Test all alarms at the start of each tenancy.

Standard home insurance won’t cover a rental property. Consider buildings insurance, landlord liability cover, contents insurance, rent guarantee insurance and legal expenses cover.

Overpricing leads to void periods; underpricing reduces your return. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, listings must state a fixed proposed rent — rental bidding is banned. Get a valuation before you advertise.

Landlords with qualifying income above the relevant threshold may be required to use MTD-compatible software from the 2026–27 tax year. Thresholds and timelines are income-dependent.

Include photographs, the condition of every room and item, meter readings and keys supplied. An accurate inventory is the most effective way to prevent deposit disputes at the end of a tenancy.

Before your tenant moves in, ensure you have:

Compliance doesn’t end at move-in. You remain responsible for property maintenance, safety compliance, prompt repairs, regular property inspections, licensing renewals and keeping up with legislation.

Many first-time landlords underestimate the time involved. A professional managing agent can handle tenant sourcing, referencing, rent collection, inspections, compliance monitoring, licensing and legal updates. Given the pace of change in 2026, professional support is worth serious consideration.