What Are Your Responsibilities as a Landlord?

Becoming a landlord isn’t just about collecting rent each month. Renting out a property comes with clear, defined legal as well as practical responsibilities designed to protect tenants and ensure homes are safe, secure, and fit to live in. This has become even more explicit since the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and with forthcoming changes to various legislation – changes to The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as early as next week, June 23, 2026, and proposed tightening of EPC requirements set to come into play by 2030, to name just two matters (for more on changes to the HHSRS, you can download our free guide – contact us here to request it).

Whether you’re new to letting or have an established portfolio, understanding your obligations is essential. Falling short can lead to fines, legal action, or difficulty regaining possession of your property.

Here’s a clear overview of what’s expected of landlords in the South London and across the UK.

Providing a Safe and Habitable Home

At the most basic level, landlords must ensure their property is safe, clean, and suitable for living in. This means:

The structure and exterior (walls, roof, windows) must be sound.
Plumbing, heating, gas, and electrical systems must work properly. Gas and electrics must be checked and certified (gas appliances annually, electrics every five years (EICR).
The property must be free from serious hazards such as damp, mould, or unsafe wiring.

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, tenants have the right to live in a property that is safe and healthy throughout the tenancy. Awaab’s Law has been introduced to cover the social housing sector, but a new decent homes standards is set to be introduced, incorporated into Renters’ Rights Act legislation.

Gas, Electrical and Fire Safety

Safety compliance is one of the most important landlord responsibilities.

As mentioned above, you must:

Arrange an annual Gas Safety Certificate if the property has gas appliances.
Carry out an Electrical Safety Report (EICR) at least every five years.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of the property.
Install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel appliances (and increasingly expected near gas appliances too).

Certificates must be provided to tenants before they move in and kept up to date. This is non-negotiable.

Protecting the Tenant’s Deposit

If you take a deposit, it must be:

Protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days.
Prescribed information must be given to the tenant within the same timeframe that specifies the details of where the deposit is lodged.

Failing to protect a deposit correctly can result in financial penalties and restrict your ability to serve notice later, even under legal grounds.

Carrying Out Repairs and Maintenance

Landlords are responsible for most major repairs, including:

Heating and hot water systems.
Plumbing and drainage.
Electrical wiring.
Structural issues.

Tenants are usually responsible for minor day-to-day upkeep, but anything affecting safety or habitability falls to the landlord. Repairs must be carried out within a reasonable timeframe once reported.

Respecting Tenant Rights

Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of their home. This means:

You can’t enter the property without permission, except in emergencies.
You must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before inspections or repairs.
You can’t harass or pressure tenants to leave.

Maintaining a professional, respectful relationship helps prevent disputes.

Providing the Correct Documentation

Before a tenancy begins, landlords must supply tenants with:

A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Gas Safety Certificate (if applicable).
Electrical Safety Report.
The government’s “How to Rent” guide.
A written statement detailing key information about the tenancy and obligations (this introduced in 2026 under Renters’ Rights Act legislation).

Failure to provide these documents can invalidate certain eviction notices and even leave you open to fines under Renters’ Rights Act legislation.

Managing the End of the Tenancy

When a tenancy ends, landlords must:

Return the deposit promptly (minus any agreed deductions).
Provide evidence if deductions are disputed.
Follow the correct legal process if serving notice.

Evicting a tenant without following the legally defined process can lead to serious consequences.

Final Thoughts

Being a landlord comes with responsibilities, but these do not have to be overwhelming. By staying organised, keeping certificates up to date, and responding promptly to issues, you protect both your tenants and your investment.

Many landlords choose to work with a letting agent such as Your Home Managed to stay compliant and reduce day-to-day stress, especially as legislation continues to evolve. On the one hand, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 makes it very clear what landlords are responsible for – but at the same time, penalties can reach £40,000 for getting it wrong.

Whether you self-manage or use an agent, understanding your responsibilities is non-negotiable.

Not sure whether self-management is still worth the hassle? Get in touch with Your Home Managed for a free, no-obligation chat about your property, your responsibilities, and how professional management could save you time, stress, and costly mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Landlord Responsibilities

What safety certificates do landlords need?

Gas Safety Certificate (annually), Electrical Safety Report (every five years), and valid smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Who is responsible for repairs: landlord or tenant?

Landlords handle structural, heating, plumbing, and electrical repairs. Tenants are responsible for minor day-to-day upkeep.

What happens if I don’t protect a tenant’s deposit?

You could face financial penalties and may be unable to regain possession of the property using standard notice procedures.

Can I enter the property whenever I want?

No. You must give at least 24 hours’ notice and obtain tenant consent, except in emergencies.

Do I need a letting agent to stay compliant?

No, but many landlords choose to use one to ensure legal obligations are met and to reduce risk – especially with the level of penalties coming in under Renters’ Rights Act legislation