Landlord responsibilities

If you're a private landlord you must ensure the property you rent out is safe for tenants to live in.

As a landlord, you must: 

• maintain and keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
• respond and resolve complaints that are brought to your attention 
• make sure all gas equipment and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
• install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
• protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
• check your tenant has the right to rent your property if it’s in England

See GOV.UK’s advice for renting out your property 

Fire safety  

As a landlord you must:  

• fit and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
• follow fire safety regulations for property in a purpose-built block of flats or for houses and property adapted into flats

Electrical safety  

You must make sure electrical systems like sockets and light fittings are safe.  

You need to have electrical installations in your rented properties inspected and tested. This must be by a qualified person at least every 5 years.  

You must give a copy of the electrical safety report (EICR certificate) to your tenants and to the council, if we ask for it. 

See GOV.UK guidance on electrical safety standards 

Gas safety  

You must have an annual gas safety check carried out on any gas appliances, flues and fittings in the rented property.  

Find a gas safe registered engineer  

You should give a copy of this to your new tenant before they move in or to any existing tenant.   

You must keep copies of the certificates, especially if you have a property licence (selective or HMOs). 

Energy efficiency standards   

You need an energy performance certificate (EPC) whenever a property is rented. An EPC gives a property an energy rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). This is valid for 10 years.  

Only EPCs with a rating of A to E are acceptable for rented properties.   

The EPC should include the typical amount of energy the property would use and energy costs. It should also provide recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.  

See GOV.UK for:   

• guidance for landlords on how to comply with the minimum energy efficiency standards
• guidance on Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) 

Health and safety inspections

We will inspect your property using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to make sure that it is safe for the people who live there. This involves inspecting your property for possible hazards, such as uneven stairs.

HHSRS hazard ratings

We categorise 29 different hazards based on their risk of causing harm.

A category 1 hazard poses the most risk, so we will take enforcement action to reduce it.

If we find a category 1 hazard, we might:

• issue an improvement notice
• fix the hazard ourselves and bill the landlord for the cost
• prevent people from using part or all of the property

A category 2 hazard poses a lower risk than category 1, and we will usually make recommendations of how to reduce the risk.

You can get more information on the HHSRS in their guidance for landlords document.

Enforcement

We have a responsibility to deal with housing that may be dangerous for the tenants in your property.

The type of enforcement action we decide is considered on a case by case basis and will vary according to the law. 

Find out more in our private sector housing enforcement policy.