Quick answer
Everything a first-time landlord needs before letting a property in the UK — compliance, insurance, tenancy setup, and when to use a Doncaster letting agent.
Use this checklist before you take your first tenant. Tick off each item and you will avoid the compliance mistakes that cost landlords thousands in fines and void periods.
Before you market the property
- Consent to let obtained from mortgage lender (if applicable)
- Landlord insurance arranged (standard home insurance does not cover tenancies)
- EPC obtained — minimum rating E required to let in England
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) if gas appliances are present
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — required every 5 years in England
- Property meets HHSRS standards (no serious hazards)
- Smoke alarms on every storey; carbon monoxide alarms where solid fuel is burned
- Furniture meets fire safety regulations if furnished
- HMO licence applied for if property meets HMO criteria (see our HMO guide for Doncaster)
Setting up the tenancy
- Right to Rent checks completed on all adult occupants
- Tenant referencing completed (credit, employment, previous landlord)
- Tenancy agreement drafted (AST for most private lets)
- Deposit collected and protected in a government scheme within 30 days
- Prescribed information about the deposit provided to the tenant
- How to Rent guide provided (England)
- Inventory and schedule of condition completed with photographs
- Meter readings taken at handover
Ongoing landlord responsibilities
- Annual gas safety check renewed
- Maintenance issues responded to promptly
- Rent tracked and recorded for tax purposes
- Self Assessment tax return filed annually
- Insurance and safety certificates kept up to date
Should you do this alone?
Many first-time landlords underestimate the admin. Compliance rules change regularly, and a single missed step — an unprotected deposit, an expired gas certificate — can invalidate possession proceedings or trigger penalties.
A Doncaster letting agent can handle the full checklist on your behalf, from compliance through to tenant find and ongoing management. Request a free consultation to discuss what level of support you need.
Related reading: How to rent out my house in the UK · Do I need a letting agent?