Managing a private tenancy
Managing a private tenancy involves preparing the property, communicating with the tenant, and ensuring the property is safe.
Finding a tenant
You can advertise your property in a number of ways:
- local newspapers and magazines
- shop windows and notice boards in supermarkets
- through a letting agent or a managing agent
- through our private landlord schemes
Arranging a viewing
- you should be able to answer any questions that a prospective tenant has about the property
- emphasise the good features about the property
- give the viewers time to discuss the property alone
- if the prospective tenants show an interest, explain further checks will be made until you make your decision
Before a tenancy is agreed
Pre-tenancy checks may be carried out before you let your property. These may include:
- obtaining references
- proof of identity and/or proof of current address
- proof of income
- proof of home office documents - this can assist you to understand their legal status in the UK
- proof of right to rent in England. This can be done by getting a share code online. See prove your right to rent in England (gov.uk)
If a person cannot provide some of the documents you have requested, it may be advisable to carry out credit checks or ask for a guarantor.
A person has the right to rent if they are a British citizen, citizen of a country in the EU or EEA or a citizen of another country with no time limits on their permission to live in the UK.
A tenancy agreement is a legally binding document between landlord and tenant and sets out the terms and conditions of the rent contract.
Documents required for tenancy
A landlord or agent has certain responsibilities that they must adhere to before the tenant moves into a tenancy. These include:
- providing a tenancy agreement, detailing the length of the tenancy, rent amount, amount of deposit, process for reporting repairs etc
- providing an up to date gas safety certificate signed by a gas safe register listed engineer
- providing an up to date electrical installation condition report (EICR) signed by a competent engineer
- providing an energy performance certificate (EPC)
- protecting the tenant's cash deposit in one of the three tenancy deposit government authorised scheme
- providing an inventory of all the furniture and fittings in the property, including the condition of these items. This inventory should be completed by both the tenant and the Landlord, signed and dated
- providing the tenant with the landlord or acting agent’s contact details
For more information see the how to rent guide (gov.uk).
Tenancy deposits
As a landlord you must use one of the three government accredited deposit protection schemes.
Rent arrears advice
If your tenant is experiencing financial difficulties:
- they may be eligible to claim universal credit or housing benefit
- if they already claim housing benefit and they already owe more than 8 weeks rent, you could apply to have the payments paid directly to you
- they may be able to get help using financial advice services through our money advice referral tool
Property repairs and maintenance
Problems in a tenancy
If your tenant abandons the property without telling you, in the eyes of the law, they are still classed as the tenant until you obtain a court order for possession, or by a surrender, or similar act by the tenant.
Always seek advice. Information on notices and possession procedures is available from housing options.