What Are Landlords Responsible for When Letting Property? 

UK laws on landlord responsibilities are treated seriously and you need to get them right from the outset. So, what is a landlord responsible for exactly? 

You may well see Stratford’s appeal as a landlord, with great local amenities and transport links to drive demand from tenants. If you’re considering renting out property in the area, you may also be aware that Redbridge and Newham recorded some of London’s highest rent growth last year by Rightmove analysis.  

But before you even market the property, you must cover your duties and responsibilities. To guide you, our article explains what a landlord is responsible for in East London.   

Landlord duties and responsibilities explained  

Private landlords must cover energy efficiency, documentation, safety and more – so where should you start? Our landlord responsibilities checklist sets out some key rules to follow.  

1 Setting up the tenancy correctly  

• Tenancy agreement. Prepare the contract, usually an assured shorthold tenancy agreement, including the date the tenancy agreement begins, monthly rent amount, terms and expectations on both sides. You can find a model agreement on gov.uk and approach your estate agent for guidance. 
• Mortgage. You need a specialist buy-to-let mortgage from your mortgage lender, you can’t accept tenants on a residential mortgage. Find out how many buy to let mortgages you can afford to have here.
• Licensing rules. Large houses in multiple occupation (HMO) need licences, and Redbridge Council a Newham Council, and Barking and Dagenham may require an additional licence for smaller HMOs or selective licence for single household rentals. 
• Tax. You will have to register with HMRC to pay tax on your landlord income, and could be liable for capital gains tax when you sell. 

2 Health & safety responsibilities  

• Fire safety. Landlords are responsible for keeping fire exits clear, ensuring furniture you supply is fire safe, and providing alarms. 
• Gas and electrical safety. Arrange a landlord electrical safety check called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years, and an annual gas safety certificate to ensure all gas appliances are safe. 
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Safety. Landlords are responsible for installing and testing carbon monoxide detectors in every room with a fuel burning appliance, and a smoke alarm on each floor. 
• HHSRS hazard ratings. You must keep the property free of health hazards. The tenants or local council can request a risk assessment to ensure the property meets the standards of the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS). 
• EPC and MEES regulations. Private rented properties need an energy performance certificate (EPC) meeting Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) with a minimum rating of E (expected to rise to grade C by 2030). 
• HMO regulations. There are stricter HMO landlord responsibilities, for example, installing fire doors and fire extinguishers. Check the national and local authority guidelines carefully to make sure you comply. 

3 Vetting & onboarding tenants  

• Reference checks. There’s no way to predict the future, but reference checks often help with finding reliable tenants who are likely pay on time. This usually entails seeing proof of identity, a utility bill and employer reference, and undergoing a credit check. A tenant referencing service or your letting agent can do this on your behalf. 
• Right to rent. Under the law on landlord responsibilities, you must carry out ID checks to ensure all tenants have the right to rent in the UK. You must check everyone, including children under 18, and you can’t discriminate. The government advice outlines how to proceed for UK, Irish and international documentation. 
• How to rent guide. Landlords have a legal duty to give tenants a copy of the government’s how to rent guide, informing them of their rights and responsibilities within 30 days of receiving their deposit at the start of the tenancy. 
• Inventory checks. Take photos and a detailed inventory showing the property’s condition and contents before the tenants move in. Use the list at each landlord inspection and at check-out to avoid disputes. 
• Deposit protection. Landlords are responsible for putting the tenant’s deposit in a government approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days. You must also supply the scheme’s prescribed details to the tenant – if you don’t, you’ll be breaking the law and may also struggle if you need to seek an eviction. 

4 Landlord maintenance duties  

• Responsibility for appliances. Make sure any appliances you supply are in good working order, and arrange annual PAT testing to ensure they’re safe for tenants’ use.  
• Ongoing maintenance. Wear and tear and general deterioration is to be expected, and it’s one of the responsibilities of being a landlord to carry out repairs when necessary. The property has to be kept in a habitable condition for tenants. 
• Structural maintenance. Landlords are responsible for maintaining the building’s exterior and structure, including the roof, chimneys, walls, guttering and drains. 
• Utilities. Unless you rent out an HMO, the tenants pay the utility bills – but you must ensure that the water, heating system and lighting are maintained property.  
• Rent increases – landlords much approach tenants with any rent increase notices in a legal manner which follows the terms of the tenancy agreement.

5 Landlord conduct with tenants  

• Right to quiet enjoyment. Tenants have the ‘right to quiet enjoyment’ of the property. This means you must not turn up unannounced (unless there is a genuine emergency), and cannot threaten or harass them, even if there are frustrating issues like unpaid rent. 
• Notice before access. Landlords must give 24 hours’ notice minimum before entering the property or sending out operatives. It should be at a reasonable time, and tenants also have the right to request an alternative day/time. 
• Responsiveness. Your landlord repair responsibilities include addressing minor repairs when reported (not to mention, this can prevent them worsening and causing damage). You also have a legal duty to take swift action on safety concerns like black mould. 

6 Ongoing compliance for landlords  

Landlord rules change from time to time, and you really need to stay on top of new rental regulations coming in., and hold onto any landlord certificates you may need. For example, the Renters’ Rights Bill 2025 is expected to come into force this year. It can help to put systems in place to keep your property portfolio compliant, and an established letting agent will usually be happy to assist you.  

Landlord responsibility FAQs

Feeling confident about your landlord responsibilities? 

We hope that this article has clarified the responsibilities of a landlord in East London. But there can be a lot to take in at first, and every situation is different.

That’s where we come in. If you have queries about your rental property in Grays, Stratford or the surrounding areas, contact Lint Group today to discuss.