Your Essential Landlord Checklist
With various changes expected across the private rented sector, now is a great time for landlords to review their properties, documentation and processes. Preparing early helps protect your investment, ensures compliance, and supports positive long-term tenancies.
This practical checklist highlights the key areas every landlord should review as the sector evolves. For personalised guidance based on your property and location, our local specialists are here to assist.
Staying informed about upcoming changes
Staying informed about upcoming changes, including those within the Renters’ Rights Bill (yet to be implemented), helps you stay compliant and maintain well-managed tenancies.
Landlord checklist
1
Review tenancy agreements and documentation
- Ensure tenancy agreements reflect current best practice.
- Review clauses related to notice, rent reviews, and communication for fairness and clarity.
- Consider how future reforms may impact your templates once implemented.
- Confirm that referencing, affordability checks and screening are compliant and non-discriminatory.
2
Assess property condition, safety and repairs
- Inspect for damp, mould, ventilation or heating issues.
- Ensure all safety certificates (gas, electrical, smoke/CO alarms) are up to date.
- Review repair response times and record-keeping.
- Start preparing for higher expected standards, including proposed Decent Homes requirements.
3
Rent, deposits and upfront costs
- Prepare to move to one rent increase per year once the Renters’ Rights Act is implemented.
- Confirm all deposits comply with deposit protection schemes.
- Reassess practices such as requesting multiple months’ rent upfront.
- Ensure that rent-review clauses are clear and properly communicated.
4
Pets, access and communication
- Review your pets policy to ensure it is reasonable and clearly explained.
- Put in place a structured process for handling tenant requests and complaints.
- Check that access procedures meet notice requirements and respect tenant rights.
5
Ending or regaining possession
- Familiarise yourself with how possession routes may change under future legislation.
- Plan how you will manage void periods, especially with periodic tenancies to be implemented.
- Seek advice for complex tenancy situations or long-term property plans.
6
Registration, redress and working with an agent
- Keep up to date with any future requirements for landlord or property registration.
- Understand expected updates to the ombudsman or redress systems.
- Consider whether a fully managed service could support your compliance needs.
- Arrange a portfolio review with your local Northwood office to identify potential risks and improvements.
Why review your portfolio now?
With legislation continuing to evolve, it’s essential for landlords to stay proactive. A quick review of your management processes now can help keep your properties fully compliant as rules tighten.
Taking action early helps you:
Avoid compliance issues
Maintain positive tenant relationships
Strengthen long-term planning
Reduce disruption when new rules eventually take effect
Take advantage of our expert advice with clear, practical guidance from Northwood’s local specialists tailored to your property and future plans.
Contact your local Northwood office
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