# UK Landlord Starter Pack
## Rent out your home without the guesswork
RentOutMyPropertyNow · rentoutmypropertynow.co.uk
Partner: Kerrigans Property (Doncaster) · kerrigans.co.uk

This is plain-English guidance for England landlords — not legal or financial advice.
Always check Gov.uk and speak to regulated professionals for your situation.

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## 1. Before you advertise (permissions & money)

- [ ] Tell your mortgage lender — get Consent to Let, or switch to buy-to-let if needed
- [ ] Check leasehold / freeholder rules if you own a flat
- [ ] Check if your council needs selective licensing or an HMO licence
- [ ] Work out realistic rent (compare local lets — don’t guess high)
- [ ] Budget ~10% of annual rent for maintenance / voids
- [ ] Sort landlord insurance (buildings that know it’s rented; consider rent guarantee)

**Red flag:** Renting without telling your lender can put the whole loan at risk.

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## 2. Legal & safety pack (England)

- [ ] Valid EPC — rating E or above (unless exempt)
- [ ] Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) from a Gas Safe engineer
- [ ] Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — usually every 5 years
- [ ] Smoke alarms on every storey
- [ ] Carbon monoxide alarms where required
- [ ] Furniture / furnishings meet fire safety standards (if furnished)
- [ ] Plan for Right to Rent checks (keep copies)
- [ ] Know how you’ll protect the deposit (government-backed scheme within 30 days)
- [ ] Have a written tenancy agreement ready (AST is common in England)
- [ ] Give tenants the “How to rent” guide (England)

**Red flag:** Missing safety docs can mean fines — and can block eviction routes later.

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## 3. Make the property lettable

- [ ] Fix obvious repairs (leaks, electrics, heating, windows)
- [ ] Deep clean + declutter
- [ ] Decide furnished vs unfurnished
- [ ] Remove valuables / fragile items
- [ ] Take daylight photos of every room + exterior
- [ ] Write an honest listing (beds, baths, bills, parking, pets, deposit, available date)
- [ ] Prepare a photo inventory for move-in day

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## 4. Finding tenants without drama

- [ ] List where tenants actually look (major portals + strong local marketing)
- [ ] Reply to enquiries fast (serious tenants move on quickly)
- [ ] Run viewings with clear house rules / appointment slots
- [ ] Reference properly: credit, income/employment, previous landlord
- [ ] Complete Right to Rent before keys
- [ ] Agree rent, deposit, start date, and any special clauses in writing
- [ ] Collect holding deposit only if you understand the Tenant Fees Act rules

**Affordability rule of thumb many agents use:** household income ≈ 2.5× annual rent (varies).

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## 5. Stuck with a poor agent? Check this

Ask for evidence — not vibes:

- [ ] Where is the property advertised right now? (links / portal screenshots)
- [ ] How many enquiries and viewings in the last 14 days?
- [ ] Who is chasing applicants and how often do they update you?
- [ ] Are photos professional and current?
- [ ] What’s included in the fee — and what’s extra (renewals, inventory, checkout)?
- [ ] Can you leave without a punitive exit clause?
- [ ] Are gas / EPC / EICR renewals being tracked for you?
- [ ] Is rent collected on time — with clear statements?

**Walk-away signals:** slow replies, amateur photos, surprise fees, no viewing feedback, locked-in contracts that punish you for leaving.

If they’re not performing, you can instruct a better agent or take the property back — check your terms first.

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## 6. Tenancy day-one checklist

- [ ] Signed agreement (all parties)
- [ ] Deposit protected + prescribed information served (within 30 days)
- [ ] First month’s rent received
- [ ] Inventory signed (photos dated)
- [ ] Keys handed over + meter readings noted
- [ ] Emergency / repairs contact explained
- [ ] Certificates given to tenants (gas, EPC, EICR as required)
- [ ] Standing order / rent collection set up

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## 7. Fee reality check

High-street style % fees (often ~8–10%+ for management) can cost well over £1,000 a year on a typical let.
Ask for a written quote that lists every charge — before you instruct anyone.

Compare:
- Tenant-find only
- Rent collection
- Fully managed

Cheapest isn’t always best. Silence and voids are expensive too.

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## Next step

Book a free rental valuation with Kerrigans Property:
https://kerrigans.co.uk/free-property-valuation/

Lettings overview:
https://kerrigans.co.uk/lettings/

First-time landlord guide:
https://kerrigans.co.uk/first-time-landlord-doncaster/

Interactive tools on this site:
https://rentoutmypropertynow.co.uk/#tools
https://rentoutmypropertynow.co.uk/starter-pack

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© RentOutMyPropertyNow · Guidance only · Not legal or financial advice