The purpose of this page is to give general advice on letting your property, to explain private rented sector access schemes and direct you to more information from a variety of experts. It is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to letting. In addition, the law can change rapidly and you should ensure that you keep up to date with all aspects affecting you and your business.
There are many ways to find tenants, both by yourself and with the assistance of an external organisation.
As well as the information on this page, there is a wide range of further information on your rights and responsibilities as a landlord.
It is important to note that in Scotland, landlords are required to register with the local authority where they will be renting out their property and that it is a criminal offence not to do so. For more information, landlords with properties in Scotland should visit the Landlords Registration website.
Creating a tenancy
Local Housing Allowance
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new way of calculating Housing Benefit for tenants renting accommodation from private landlords. It was introduced nationally on 7 April 2008. If you are single and under 25 Local Housing Allowance (LHA) will be restricted to ‘single room rent' intended only to cover the rent for a room in a shared house. To find out how much LHA will pay according to the size of your accommodation you can check your local council's website.
Landlords are no longer allowed to hold onto a tenant's deposit. Instead, a new Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme means that deposits have to be placed in one of three of Government-approved schemes. You have to tell your tenant which scheme the deposit has been placed with within 14 days of receiving it.
Rent and other charges
It is important to ensure that both you and your tenant are clear about what the rent on the property is, and who is responsible for other charges such as council tax, gas, electricity and water.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
A property which is occupied by more than one household is considered to be a HMO. These have to meet standards which apply especially to them, as well s meteing the standards which apply to every other dwelling such as fitness and repair. Find out more information on HMOs.
Property standards
Your property must be fit for human habitation and it is good practice to meet other standards for your property. More on property standards and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) can be found at the Department for Communities and Local Government website.
It is important to note that the law is different in Scotland with regards to HMOs and Property Standards. More information on this can be found on the Scottish Government website. Also in Scotland, landlords must be aware of the Repairing Standard, which can be found on the Private Rented Housing Panel website.
Insurance and taxation
It is important to ensure you have all the necessary insurance and that you understand the tax implications for being a landlord. For more information go to the Directgov website and Registered Landlords Association website.
Ending a tenancy
Most tenancies end amicably. However it is important to know the procedures required to end a tenancy or if your tenant gives notice. More on this can be found on the Citizens Advice Bureau's advice guide.