{"id":1517,"date":"2020-08-02T14:53:19","date_gmt":"2020-08-02T14:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentila.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1517"},"modified":"2025-11-07T11:12:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T11:12:33","slug":"7-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-become-a-landlord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentila.co.uk\/blog\/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-become-a-landlord\/","title":{"rendered":"7 things you need to know before you become a landlord"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"7<\/div>\n

Becoming a landlord is no small decision. It can give you monthly income and allow you to acquire properties that can be used for retirement funds and inheritance. Before you make this huge business, career, and financial decision read our quick guide on things you should know before you become a landlord.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Don’t skimp on insurance<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re buying-to-let, then your mortgage company will insist on you having insurance. But you\u2019ll only need to get insurance to cover liability and building and contents. However, many more things can go wrong than storm damage. The most likely thing that goes wrong with rental properties is the tenants. It\u2019s very easy for tenants to cause damage either intentionally or otherwise that way exceeds the deposit of one month\u2019s rent.<\/p>\n

And you may also have tenants that willfully or due to lack of funds do not pay the rent and refuse to leave. A drawn-out eviction process could cause months, throughout which you\u2019ll have no income to pay your monthly mortgage. For an additional premium, it can cover you for these eventualities. Then if your tenant is late paying the rent, you need not panic.<\/p>\n

Vet your tenants well<\/h2>\n

Having bought a property regardless of how much or little time, love, and money went into renovating and redecorating, it\u2019s still your investment. You need to have the best chance of knowing your tenants will be good payers and not damage your property. Just because a tenant is well dressed with a killer smile, does not mean a thing. In addition to which it\u2019s now the law to carry out a right to rent check on all tenant\u2019s and a failure to do so can result in a fine or up to five years in prison.<\/p>\n

Aside from checking whether someone has a right to be in the UK, there are also credit and criminal checks to consider. Usually, a simple credit check will suffice. But you can grab a more thorough free credit check from joining Experian\u2019s Rental Exchange, which covers details of rent payments.<\/p>\n

Having criminal checks done is also an option. While asking your prospective tenant whether they have any unspent criminal convictions may not be the easiest question to ask, then any employed tenant will have had the question asked before they started their job. If you don\u2019t ask then you risk invalidating your buildings insurance and for good reason should your would-be tenant have convictions for criminal damage including arson. Anyone without criminal convictions for theft, fraud, assault, battery, burglary, and domestic violence – you\u2019d probably choose not to rent to  – is unlikely to be offended.<\/p>\n

Finally, you can also ask for references from previous landlords and proof of earnings so you know they have the ability to pay the rent and bills. If that seems like a lot of checks, it only amounts to tenants providing a few documents, and it will be worth it to ensure you have well-referenced tenants who will care for your property and can pay the rent.<\/p>\n

Look after your tenants<\/h2>\n

Having moved in great tenants, take care of them. Trust them to look after your property without snooping around to check unannounced. If you need to check on something, make sure you give your tenant\u2019s notice. Be quick to deal with any repairs and issues. <\/p>\n

A card at Xmas costs pence and goes a long way in terms of being pleasant. You can even buy a small moving gift such as flowers. All of these things will help you keep your tenants for the longest amount of time possible and keep your dealings with them friendly.<\/p>\n

Know who to turn to in an emergency<\/h2>\n

When you are going into this business, then one of the things you need to know before you become a landlord or at least along the way is a trusted set of tradesmen. If your dad is a plumber, and your brother-in-law is an electrician and you are great at fixing odd jobs, then great. If not, then use a service like mybuilder.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The platform works by you posting your job up and qualified tradesmen in your area will contact you. The platform is based on clients reviewing tradesmen, so you can ensure you are getting a good service at a reasonable price. You can either keep the contact details of tradesmen from mybuilder.com or use the service, time and again.<\/p>\n

Make sure you don’t break the law><\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, if you don\u2019t check on a tenant\u2019s right to rent, you could be in for a heavy fine or imprisonment. There are several things you need to conform to when you are a landlord that also carries similar stiff penalties. You must store a tenant\u2019s data accurately and securely.<\/p>\n

You also need an annual gas certificate and carry out PAT testing on electrical appliances you provide in the property. In addition, you need an Energy Performance Certificate<\/a> (EPC), which costs from \u00a360-120. An EPC assesses things such as insulation, double glazing, and heating systems to give a guide to how efficient the property is and the likely annual energy bills.<\/p>\n

Remember you’re running a business<\/h2>\n

With just a few tenants, it\u2019s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you\u2019re not running a business. But you are, so don\u2019t forget it. If you choose tenants wisely, then they may stay for years. But five years down the line, it\u2019s fair to put the rent up a little without offending. Similarly, if your tenant\u2019s run into financial difficulties, then be sympathetic and helpful, but don\u2019t let rent arrears run past a couple of months.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n

How much time and effort does being a landlord really require?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not passive. You must handle tenant queries, repairs, inspections, and paperwork. Even with good tenants, unexpected issues arise. Setting up clear systems, checklists, and digital reminders makes the workload manageable.<\/p>\n

What financial factors should I consider before starting?<\/h3>\n

Budget for mortgage payments, insurance, maintenance, void periods, and compliance costs. Keep a contingency fund for emergencies. Estimate realistic rental income and calculate profitability before investing\u2014numbers matter more than assumptions.<\/p>\n

Do I need professional help as a new landlord, or can I manage alone?<\/h3>\n

You can manage alone if you\u2019re organised, responsive, and willing to learn. However, you may still need professionals for specific tasks: electricians, gas engineers, accountants, or legal advice. Outsource only what\u2019s essential; keep control of the rest to stay compliant and profitable.<\/p>\n

Things to know before you become a landlord: Important things to remember<\/h2>\n

If you follow this guide of things to know before you become a landlord, then you\u2019ll have a good chance of avoiding common mistakes. Here\u2019s a rundown of things to remember:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Joining an association can help you network and learn more about this new business<\/li>\n
  • Additional premiums on your landlords insurance can cover guarantee your rent and cover you for every eventuality giving you peace of mind.<\/li>\n
  • Vetting your tenants is crucial to preventing property damage and having your rent paid.<\/li>\n
  • Treat your tenants, so they won\u2019t want to leave, saving you thousands on re-advertising and redecorating.<\/li>\n
  • Use a platform such as mybuilder.com to find reputable tradesmen for any job.<\/li>\n
  • Make sure you comply with current legislation and get all the checks and certificates you need. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Becoming a landlord is no small decision. It can give you monthly income and allow you to acquire properties that can be used for retirement funds and inheritance. Before you make this huge business, career, and financial decision read our quick guide on things you should know before you become a landlord.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[161,159],"class_list":["post-1517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-advise","tag-investment","tag-landlord"],"yoast_head":"\n7 things you need to know before you become a landlord - Rentila - Property management blog for landlords<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here's a quick list of things every landlord should know before they invest in property. 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