As a Landlord What Certificates Do I Need to Operate Legally in East London?  

What certificates do you need to rent out a property in East London? As a landlord, you need certain safety certificates and other documentation to operate legally.  

Most rules on certificates apply to every landlord – whether you rent out an Ilford home to professionals, a family home in Dagenham, or a studio apartment in Romford. In some areas, you may need to get a landlord licence as well.  

Your local authority can act if you don’t hold the right certificates, so don’t take any risks. Read on to find out what certificates East London landlord need to have. 

What certificates does a landlord need?  

Landlords need certain health and safety certificates including gas, electrical and energy certificates, to rent out a property, as well as other legally required documentation. You may need a landlord accreditation certificate if your local council requests one as part of a licensing scheme (for example, Barking & Dagenham Landlord Licensing) – or they may offer a discount to accredited landlords. Landlord certificates are offered by professional bodies like the British Landlords Association or London Landlord Accreditation Scheme. 

Essential certificates for all landlords  

Gas safety certificate  

Landlords need a gas safety certificate every year, and before each tenancy begins – the tenants must be given a copy. It can only be issued after an engineer on the official Gas Safe Register has inspected the boiler and any gas appliances.  

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)  

Since 2021, it’s been a legal requirement for landlords to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and give a copy of the certificate to tenants within 28 days. To obtain the landlord electrical safety certificate, a qualified electrician must carry out an electrical safety inspection of the fuse boxes, sockets, light switches and electrical wiring. The EICR is valid for 5 years. 

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)  

You’re legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with an EPC E rating (this could rise in future) for the rental property before you start advertising for tenants.  

Other essential documents for landlords  
You will need other certificates and documents to rent out a property legally in East London. 

Buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage documentation  

Unless you bought outright or inherited a home, then you need a buy-to-let mortgage to rent out a property. Retain the documentation in case you need to check the terms. 

Tenancy agreement  

Always have a tenancy agreement for an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), to clarify rights, responsibilities and terms on both sides. 

Correct property licence 

If your borough council operates a licensing scheme that applies to you, then you must get a property licence. Barking & Dagenham and Newham councils currently operate mandatory HMO licensing, additional HMO licensing, and selective licensing schemes for other private rented properties.  

Mortgage provider allowance

You also need to get consent to let, or switch your mortgage from residential to buy to let before beginning to operate as a landlord. Find out how many buy to let mortgages you can have in our dedicated article.

How To Rent guide  

Landlords are legally required to give tenants a copy of the government’s How to Rent guide. If you don’t, you may struggle to evict them if needed. 

Deposit Protection Certificate  

You must protect your tenant’s deposit within 30 days, in a government-approved deposit protection scheme. Hold onto the proof, and give tenants details of the scheme. 

Landlord insurance policy  

Mortgage lenders usually insist on landlord building insurance. Additional landlord insurance cover is available for damage or rent arrears. Retain the paperwork in case you need to claim. 

Right to Rent Check documentation  

Landlords who don’t ensure their tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK could face a prison sentence or fine up to £20,000 – full rules on gov.uk. Keep your paperwork to prove you’ve done the Right to Rent checks. 

Legionella risk assessment   

One of your safety checks as a landlord is to carry out a legionella risk assessment. There’s no certification for this, but you must keep records. 

Fire safety risk assessment  

London landlords don’t need a fire safety certificate as such, instead you must carry out a risk assessment to make sure your property is safe from fire hazards. 

Smoke & CO alarm compliance records  

Since the Building Safety Act 2022 came in, landlords must fit a working smoke alarm on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance. Keep records to prove you’ve checked and maintain your property’s alarms. 

PAT testing certificates  

Though it’s only legally required for HMOs, portable appliance testing ensures that you’re meeting your safety obligations by supplying appliances that are safe for tenants to use.  

HMO specific certifications  

The safety regulations for HMO landlords are stricter. For instance, expect to install fire doors, meet minimum room sizes and provide appropriate waste disposal facilities. 

Do you rent out a property in East Ham, Gants Hill, Forest Gate, Waltham Forest, Hackney or Thurrock? If you have any questions about what certificates you need as a landlord, or how to get them, contact Lint Group.  

Want a more reliable way to let your property? Discover our guaranteed rent in Romford, rent guarantee service in Dagenham & guaranteed rent in Forest Gate.