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Guidance for landlords
Check your responsibilities as a landlord, including meeting safety standards, protecting deposits and paying tax. Get specialist advice.
Understand your responsibilities
You have legal responsibilities as a landlord, including:
- keeping your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
- making sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
- meeting minimum energy efficiency standards
- providing an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
- Installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- protecting your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
- checking your tenant has the right to rent your property
- giving your tenant a copy of the how to rent checklist when they start renting from you
- giving tenants notice the right way
See Renting out your property on GOV.UK.
Deposits
The law:
Paying tax
HMRC has produced guidance on paying tax and keeping records for landlords.
You'll learn about:
- your PAYE and VAT obligations
- filling out your tax return
- how property income and expenditure are treated
- capital gains tax and inheritance tax advice
- when to pay your tax
There's also a property rental toolkit for your accountant or tax adviser if you use one.
The Let Property Campaign offers a chance for landlords letting property in the UK or abroad to:
- bring their tax affairs up to date through voluntary disclosure
- get the best possible terms to pay the tax they owe
Using a property agent
All letting agents and property managers must be members of an approved redress scheme to deal with any complaints.
Before using an agent make sure they're a member of one of these schemes.
Letting agents who collect rent or take deposits for you must belong to a 'client money protection scheme'.
Always ask to see their up-to-date membership certificate of an approved scheme.
Tenancy relations service
We provide specialist advice on the rights and responsibilities of private tenants, landlords and agents.
If you're experiencing issues with a tenant, or have a query about your responsibilities, get in touch by:
- messaging us online
- emailing tenancy.relations@southwark.gov.uk
- calling 0207 525 4113
We aim to respond within 5 working days.
More information
See our other housing guides on: