How to be a great landlord – in 5 easy steps!

Posted on October 29, 2021

Becoming a landlord is a lucrative opportunity that unlocks a plethora of benefits for people from all walks of life. Whether you’re in the process of purchasing your first buy to let property or have a whole portfolio of properties you rent out, being a good landlord to the tenants who occupy your properties is certain to be on your mind.

At Hackett Property, we understand the challenges that face every landlord and work with them to overcome these hurdles so they can enjoy all the perks of letting their properties. In this blog post, we share our top tips for being a good landlord, so you can keep tenants satisfied, keep your properties occupied, and continue reaping the rewards.

1. Stay on top of your legal responsibilities

There are a number of legal responsibilities landlords operating in the UK have to fulfil, and these can vary depending on the area you are renting in. You may need a landlord licence for instance to earn income from your rental.

All landlords need to abide by certain laws to ensure the property they rent is up to standard. By law, you also have to undertake Right to Rent checks to make sure your tenants are responsible and dependable.

2. Safeguard your tenant’s money

It is your legal responsibility to protect the money that your tenant(s) pay as a deposit, and this can be safeguarded rather easily by accessing a government-approved deposit protection scheme or service.

The deposit should be placed into the service or scheme within 30 days of receipt, and you should provide your tenant with a deposit protection certificate in return.

3. Make sure the property is safe…

It is a basic tenant right to be housed in a safe dwelling so be sure to keep up with the various safety checks that need to be carried out. Any gas appliances should be checked annually and certified safe. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should also be fitted throughout the property where applicable.

4. …and energy efficient

The energy performance of your property matters too. Your property should be rated E or above, and a copy of a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) should be provided to your tenant as proof of this rating.

5. Use a property management service

There are many more legal and moral requirements UK landlords have to fulfil to be considered ‘good landlords’, but you don’t have to take on these responsibilities alone!

By using a property management service like ours you can protect your investment and take care of your tenants. We can handle every aspect of letting and managing your property on your behalf.