What a landlord has to provide
Landlords must provide a property that is safe, legally compliant and suitable for occupation. This includes ensuring the property meets current safety requirements, providing the necessary certificates and information, and maintaining the structure, installations and essential services throughout the tenancy.
Key requirements may include a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), gas safety certification where applicable, electrical safety compliance, suitable smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and information relating to the tenancy and deposit protection. Landlords must also ensure the property is free from serious hazards and maintained in accordance with their legal responsibilities.
Requirements: can change over time, so obtaining professional advice helps landlords remain compliant and protect both their investment and their tenants. As a RICS-regulated firm, RM English can provide guidance on the key obligations involved in letting residential property.
Tenant find vs Managed
A Tenant Find service is suitable for landlords who are comfortable taking responsibility for the ongoing management of their property once a tenant has been secured. We will assist with marketing, viewings, tenant referencing and setting up the tenancy, but the day-to-day responsibilities will remain with the landlord.
A Fully Managed Service provides a much greater level of support and protection. Residential lettings have become increasingly complex, with constantly changing legislation, compliance requirements and tenant expectations. A managed service ensures that key responsibilities such as safety compliance, deposit protection, rent collection, maintenance, inspections, record keeping and communication are handled professionally on your behalf.
Managing a rental property is no longer simply a case of collecting rent and arranging repairs. Landlords must understand and comply with a wide range of obligations, including the Tenant Fees Act 2019, deposit protection requirements, gas and electrical safety regulations, EPC requirements, Right to Rent checks and evolving housing legislation. Failure to meet these responsibilities can create financial risk, legal exposure and unnecessary stress.
By choosing a Fully Managed Service, landlords benefit from professional oversight, experienced advice and a dedicated point of contact for both themselves and their tenants. Our aim is to protect your investment, reduce risk, maintain strong tenant relationships and ensure your property is managed efficiently from move-in through to the end of the tenancy.
Common landlord costs to budget for
Owning a rental property involves more than simply receiving rental income. Successful landlords should plan for both expected and unexpected costs to ensure their investment remains compliant, well maintained and financially sustainable.
Letting & Management Fees: The cost of professional letting and property management services, including tenant finding, rent collection, compliance support and ongoing management.
Safety & Compliance Checks: Costs associated with meeting legal obligations, including gas safety checks (where applicable), electrical inspections, EPC requirements and alarm testing.
Repairs & Maintenance: Allowing a budget for routine repairs, servicing, general upkeep and replacing worn or ageing items helps protect the condition and value of your property.
Insurance: Specialist landlord insurance may be required to provide cover for risks such as buildings, liability, rent protection or legal expenses.
Void Periods: Periods where the property is empty can result in lost rental income while costs such as mortgage payments, utilities and council tax may continue.
Inventory & Property Inspections: Professional inventories, check-in reports and periodic inspections help protect landlords by providing clear records of the property's condition.
Legal & Professional Advice: Costs for specialist advice from letting agents, Chartered Surveyors, solicitors or other professionals when dealing with complex property matters.
Refurbishment & Improvements: Budgeting for redecoration, upgrades and improvements can help maintain rental appeal, improve tenant demand and protect long-term value.
Mortgage & Finance Costs: Landlords should consider mortgage payments, interest rates, lender requirements and other finance-related expenses when assessing investment performance.
Tax Obligations: Rental income may have tax implications, and landlords should seek appropriate professional advice to understand their individual position.
