Here are some checks and certificates that you’re required by law to produce.
Safety certificate
As a landlord, it's up to you to make sure that all gas equipment and appliances pass an annual safety check. This check needs to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must give your tenants a copy of the gas safety check record as soon as they move in or within 28 days of the check being completed.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Energy Performance Certificates contain information about how much energy a property uses and how much this typically costs. It also offers advice on how to reduce energy consumption to save money. The EPC will rate your property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Don’t avoid getting an EPC if you’re worried that your property isn’t as efficient as it could be. It’s a legal requirement for any properties being built, sold, or rented. The EPC will also be valid for ten years so once you've sorted the certificate out, you won't have to worry again for a while.
To get your EPC, you'll need to find an accredited assessor to review your property and provide the certificate. You can see details of assessors in your area here:
Note: In Scotland, your EPC must be displayed somewhere within the property which can be easily seen by your tenants.
Electrical certificate
Don’t leave yourself exposed to unnecessary financial risks, including substantial fines and invalidated insurance, by not meeting your electrical safety obligations. And being out of pocket isn’t the worse that could happen either. By failing to ensure that your property’s electrical system is safe and in full working order, you could be putting your tenants’ lives at risk.
Get a registered electrician to give all electrical appliances, sockets and light fittings a thumbs up before you rent out your property.
Note: There isn’t currently a requirement for electrical checks to be performed regularly unless your property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), in which case you need an inspection every five years. For reassurance and your tenants’ safety, it makes sense to get an electrician to check your property every couple of years.
Fire safety
You won’t get a certificate for this one, but by law, you’ll need to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor in your property. You’ll also be responsible for checking that they work. Failure to do so could result in a £5,000 civil penalty.
Note: If your property is an HMO, you’ll need to have a proper risk assessment to make sure your property complies with fire safety regulations.