Do I need a licence to be a landlord in the UK?

There is no single national landlord licence, but many councils run selective licensing schemes, and larger shared houses (HMOs) need a mandatory HMO licence. Always check your local council's requirements for the property's postcode.

What safety certificates does a new landlord need?

An annual gas safety certificate (if there is gas), an EICR electrical safety report at least every five years, a valid EPC of at least E, and working smoke alarms on every floor plus a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance.

Do landlords pay tax on rental income?

Yes. Rental profit is taxable and must be declared to HMRC. Under Making Tax Digital, landlords over the income threshold need to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates.

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Getting started

How to become a landlord in the UK: a step-by-step guide

Q: Do I have to check my tenant's right to rent?

Yes. In England you must check that every adult tenant has the legal right to rent in the UK before the tenancy begins, and keep evidence of the check.

Renting out a property is more than handing over the keys. Here are the eight things every new UK landlord needs to sort — from finance to safety to tax — before the first tenant moves in.

Written for new UK landlords · Last updated August 2026 · 8 min read

Becoming a landlord can be a great way to build income, but it comes with real legal duties. Miss one and the fines can dwarf a month's rent. The good news: once you know the checklist, it's very manageable — and the right tools keep it that way. Here's the path, in order.

Sort the finance and the property

If you're buying to let, you'll usually need a buy-to-let mortgage, which has different rules from a residential one (bigger deposit, rent-to-interest checks). Factor in stamp duty, and remember a rental property should be safe, sound and in a lettable state before you advertise it.

Check whether you need a licence

There's no single national landlord licence, but many councils run selective licensing schemes for ordinary rentals in certain areas, and any larger shared house (a House in Multiple Occupation, or HMO) needs a mandatory licence. Check your local council's rules for the property's postcode — letting without a required licence is a serious offence.

Get your safety certificates in place

This is where most of the legal weight sits, and it's non-negotiable:

An annual gas safety certificate if the property has any gas.
An EICR electrical safety report, renewed at least every five years.
A valid EPC of at least E (and rising to C by 2030).
Working smoke alarms on every storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance.

Do the right to rent check

In England you must check that every adult tenant has the legal right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts, and keep evidence. It applies to everyone, not just people you think might need it.

Use a proper tenancy agreement

Put the tenancy in writing with a clear assured shorthold tenancy (AST) agreement covering rent, deposit, responsibilities and notice. Give the tenant the government's "How to Rent" guide too — it's a legal requirement in England.

Protect the deposit

Take a deposit and you have 30 days to place it in a government-backed scheme and serve the prescribed information. Get this wrong and you can owe the tenant up to three times the deposit. See our full deposit protection guide.

Get the tax right

Rental profit is taxable and must be declared to HMRC. Under Making Tax Digital, landlords above the income threshold must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates — so good record-keeping from day one saves real pain later.

Insure it properly

Standard home insurance won't cover a let property. You'll want specialist landlord (buy-to-let) insurance covering buildings and landlord liability, and often optional cover for loss of rent or malicious damage.

🔔 Where ProPixa fits in

That's a lot to track for one property — never mind several. ProPixa keeps all of it in one place: your certificates with expiry warnings, deposits, rent, documents and the Making Tax Digital records HMRC wants. It even lets you book vetted engineers for the safety checks above. Start free and get set up in minutes.

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A note on the 2026 rules

The Renters' Rights Act reshaped the rental landscape in 2026 — most notably by abolishing Section 21 "no-fault" evictions in England and moving to a grounds-based possession system. For a new landlord the takeaway is simple: get your paperwork and compliance right from the start, because it matters more than ever if you ever need to regain your property.

Frequently asked questions

Can I become a landlord with a normal mortgage?

Not usually. Letting a property on a residential mortgage without permission ("consent to let") breaches the terms. Most landlords need a buy-to-let mortgage, or written consent to let from their lender.

How much does it cost to get started?

Beyond the deposit and purchase costs, budget for safety certificates (gas, EICR, EPC), landlord insurance, any licensing fee, and referencing. Ongoing, you'll have maintenance, tax and possibly management or software costs.

Do I need an agent?

No — many landlords self-manage, especially with one or two properties. An agent adds convenience at a cost (often 8–12% of rent for full management). Software like ProPixa is a middle path: you stay in control but nothing gets forgotten.

What's the single biggest mistake new landlords make?

Missing a deadline — an expired gas certificate, an unprotected deposit, a lapsed EICR. They're all avoidable with reminders, and they're exactly what turns a smooth let into a fine or a failed possession claim.

Everything a new landlord needs, in one place

Certificates, deposits, rent, documents and tax — with ProPixa warning you before anything's due. Free for your first two months, no card needed.

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