Being a landlord comes with a wide range of responsibilities, from maintaining safe and compliant properties to building positive relationships with tenants. Whether you’re new to letting or have years of experience, staying informed about best practices can help protect your investment, reduce risks, and create a smoother renting experience for everyone involved.
This page brings together practical guidance to support landlords in meeting their legal obligations, managing properties effectively, and fostering secure, well managed homes.
Housing standards
A landlord has a legal responsibility to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of their tenants. Properties must meet all required standards, be well‑maintained, and remain compliant with relevant legislation. It is also good practice to keep clear, accurate records of any works carried out, safety checks completed, and all correspondence with tenants, as this helps demonstrate accountability and supports effective property management.
See the Housing Standards page for more information.
Landlord Accreditation Scheme
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) runs a national accreditation scheme to help landlords improve their knowledge of the sector and comply with best practice. NRLA members can complete the course online free of charge. Alternatively, landlords can attend a one-day course, for which there is a charge. The scheme is open to both NRLA members and non-members. Visit the NRLA’s website for further details about the scheme.
Eviction
Landlords must follow the correct legal procedures when seeking to evict tenants, and the steps required will depend on the type of tenancy and potentially the terms set out in the agreement. Using the wrong process can delay the eviction or make it invalid, so it is important to ensure the appropriate notice is served and the correct timescales followed. Detailed guidance on the different eviction routes is available on the Evicting Tenants page on GOV.UK.
A court cannot grant a possession order under most Section 8 grounds if the tenant's deposit was not correctly protected in a government-approved scheme or if the "prescribed information" was not provided.
This restriction does not apply to evictions based on antisocial behaviour (Grounds 7A or 14).
Tenancy deposit schemes
Landlords and letting agents must protect deposits taken for Assured Shorthold Tenancies that started after 6 April 2007, or Assured Period Tenancies that started after 1 May 2026, in a government approved tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Your tenants can apply to a county court if you do not use a tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme when you have to, the court can order you to repay it to your tenants or pay it into a custodial TDP scheme’s bank account within 14 days
The court may also decide that your tenants do not have to leave the property when the tenancy ends if you did not use a TDP scheme when you should have.
Right to rent
Landlords are legally required to check that any tenant or lodger has the right to rent residential property in England if the tenancy began on or after 1 February 2016. Failing to carry out these checks can result in significant penalties, including a civil fine of up to £20,000 or, in serious cases, a criminal conviction which may lead to imprisonment for up to five years. Conducting the correct Right to Rent checks helps ensure compliance and reduces the risk of enforcement action.
You can find out here how to check your tenant's right to rent from GOV.UK.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and HMO licensing
Go to the HMO page to find out more.