Letting out your property can be a smart investment, but to do it properly, you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared. At Harbour & Home, we help landlords every day and know exactly what it takes to get things started smoothly. Here’s your essential checklist:
1. Confirm Your Mortgage Terms
If you have a residential mortgage, you’ll need permission from your lender to let the property. Some may require switching to a buy-to-let mortgage.
2. Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
This is a legal requirement. Your property must have at least an E rating to be let in the UK. We can help arrange this if you don’t have one.
3. Safety Comes First
You’ll need:
- A valid Gas Safety Certificate
- An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
- Working smoke alarms on every floor
- Carbon monoxide alarms where required
4. Consider Property Condition
Make sure everything is clean, in working order, and free from hazards. Unfurnished properties should still include window coverings and working appliances where appropriate.
5. Register the Tenancy Deposit
By law, tenant deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme. If you use our Managed Let service, we take care of this for you.
6. Get Landlord Insurance
Standard home insurance won’t cover rental properties. Landlord insurance is essential for protecting your property and liability.
7. Choose How You Want to Let
Do you want a fully managed service, or are you happy to handle things yourself? We offer three levels of support to suit every landlord, from simple tenant find to full management.
Letting your property doesn’t have to be stressful. Get in touch with our lettings team today, we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
