FREE Landlord Guide

Essential Documents

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following:

• EICR Certificate (Must be dated)
• Gas Safety Certificate (Only required if your property has gas)
• EPC Certificate (Required for 99% of residential properties)

Recommended Additional Checks

• Smoke & CO2 Alarms
• Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
• Legionella Test

Tip: Set a reminder for each document’s expiry date. The top three are crucial for any legal disputes or possession hearings.

Preparing Your Property

Ask yourself: “Would I live here?” While standards may vary, maintaining a well-presented and habitable property is key.

Finding the Right Tenant

You can either:

• Use Drummonds Property (admin@drummondsproperty.com)
• Find a tenant yourself using online platforms

Tenant Screening Process

1. Right to Rent Check

Obtain a signed & dated copy of the tenant’s ID.

2. Holding Deposit (HD)

Maximum: One week’s rent

Formula: (Monthly Rent × 12) ÷ 52

3. Tenant Referencing

You can conduct referencing yourself or use a service like Drummonds Property (£50 per applicant).

If doing it yourself, obtain:

• Verified Landlord Reference – Ensure it matches their Tenancy Agreement.
• Verified Job Letter – Should be on a company letterhead and sent from a company email.
• 3 Months Payslips – Compare earnings with rent and estimated expenses.
• Credit Report – Check for any defaults, especially recent ones.

4. Collect Deposit & Rent in Advance

The maximum deposit allowed is 5 weeks’ rent. Use the same formula as above.

Important: You have 30 days to register the deposit in a government-backed scheme (TDS, DPS, or My Deposit).

We recommend using a custodial scheme as they handle disputes. Provide the tenant with the Prescribed Information and the Deposit Certificate.

Provide the Following Documents

Send these via email (or get a signed receipt if handing over in person):

• How to Rent Guide (request the latest version)
• Gas Safety Certificate
• EICR Certificate
• EPC

Drafting the Tenancy Agreement (TA)

Ensure it includes:

• Full names matching their ID
• Where & how notice should be served (to satisfy Section 48)
• Notice period before entry for essential work
• Tenant & Landlord obligations

If you need help drafting a TA, we offer this service for £100 (admin@drummondsproperty.com).

Final Step: Inventory

A professional third-party inventory is highly recommended. It provides an impartial record that can be crucial in legal disputes. They can also document keys and fobs given to the tenant.

Need Help?

Contact us at 0208 138 1990 or admin@drummondsproperty.com. We’ll be happy to assist!