Landlord Responsibilities
Letting a property comes with important legal responsibilities, from keeping your tenants safe to providing the correct tenancy information.
At Layco Properties, we help landlords in Aylesbury and the surrounding areas understand these requirements and choose the right level of support. Our lettings and management services are handled in-house, with the owner of the company directly involved.
Below, we outline the main responsibilities for landlords letting residential property in England.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced significant changes to private renting in England. The main tenancy reforms came into force on 1 May 2026 and apply to most new and existing private assured tenancies.
Tenancy Agreements and Information
Most private assured tenancies now operate as rolling periodic tenancies, without a fixed end date. Tenants can generally end their tenancy by giving two months’ written notice, following the applicable notice requirements.
New tenants must receive the required written information about their tenancy. For existing written tenancies covered by the reforms, landlords were required to provide the government’s Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
Read the government’s landlord guidance
View the written information requirements
Recovering Possession
Landlords can no longer serve new Section 21 notices. Possession must instead be sought using an applicable Section 8 ground, with the correct notice and legal process.
The grounds include selling the property, moving into it, rent arrears and certain tenancy breaches. Each has its own conditions. Selling and landlord occupation grounds include protection for tenants during the first 12 months of the tenancy.
If you are considering recovering possession, take advice before serving notice.
View the current tenancy forms and possession guidance
Rent Reviews
Rent increases must follow the Section 13 process, using the prescribed form and giving at least two months’ notice. Increases are generally limited to once a year, and tenants can challenge a proposed increase above the open market rent.
Marketing, Referencing and Rent in Advance
Advertisements must state an asking rent. Landlords and agents cannot invite, encourage or accept offers above that amount.
Applicants must not be disadvantaged because they receive benefits or have children. Referencing and individual affordability assessments remain important when considering an application.
For most new monthly assured tenancies, rent cannot be requested, encouraged or accepted before both parties have signed the agreement. After signing and before the tenancy starts, landlords can generally require no more than one month’s rent in advance.
Read the guidance on rent in advance and deposits
Requests to Keep Pets
Tenants can request permission to keep a pet. Requests must be considered fairly and cannot be refused without a valid reason.
Further reforms, including the private rented sector database and landlord ombudsman, are being introduced separately. The extension of Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard to private rented homes also has separate implementation arrangements.
View the government’s implementation roadmap
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Landlords must provide at least one smoke alarm on every storey containing a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
A carbon monoxide alarm is also required in any room used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. This includes gas boilers, wood burners and other qualifying appliances.
Required alarms must be working on the first day of a new tenancy. Landlords must arrange repairs or replacement when an alarm is reported and found faulty.
Find out more about smoke and carbon monoxide requirements
Gas Safety
Where gas is present, landlords must keep the relevant gas appliances, pipework and flues safe and properly maintained.
Landlord-provided gas appliances and flues must receive an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. New tenants must receive the gas safety record before moving in, and existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the check.
Keep the required records and act promptly on any defects identified. If access is difficult, record your attempts to arrange the inspection and seek advice.
Find out more about landlords’ gas safety responsibilities
Electrical Safety
Landlords must ensure that the fixed electrical installation and any electrical appliances they supply are safe.
The fixed installation must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the report requires it. The resulting Electrical Installation Condition Report must be supplied to tenants within the required timescales.
Any necessary remedial or investigative work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner where the report specifies a shorter deadline.
Find out more about electrical safety requirements
Legionella
Landlords must assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria in their property’s water systems.
The assessment should be proportionate to the property and its water system. Routine laboratory testing or a “Legionella certificate” is not generally required for an ordinary domestic property.
Any necessary control measures should be implemented, with relevant advice passed to tenants.
View the Health and Safety Executive’s Legionella guidance
Furniture and Furnishings
Upholstered furniture supplied with a rental property must meet the applicable fire safety requirements.
Check that relevant items have the appropriate compliance labels and are safe and suitable for use. Non-compliant items should be removed before the property is let.
Energy Performance and Property Condition
A valid Energy Performance Certificate must be available where required. Properties covered by the minimum energy efficiency regulations must generally have an EPC rating of E or above, unless a valid exemption applies.
Landlords must also keep their properties safe and fit for human habitation. Reports of damp, mould, leaks, heating problems and other defects should be investigated promptly and appropriate repairs arranged.
View the minimum energy efficiency guidance
Read the government’s guidance on landlord responsibilities
Other Letting Requirements
Depending on the property and tenancy, your responsibilities may also include deposit protection, Right to Rent checks and property licensing.
We can help you identify the requirements relevant to your property and discuss the support available through our services.
Our Services
Let Only Service
We market your property, handle enquiries and viewings, and help you select a suitable tenant at an appropriate market rent.
For the successful applicant, we carry out referencing and Right to Rent checks, prepare the tenancy documentation and provide the required tenancy information. You then take responsibility for ongoing management.
Rent Collection Service
In addition to our Let Only service, we collect the rent and transfer payments to you with a detailed statement of account.
We monitor payments, follow up overdue rent and keep you informed of any arrears, helping you understand the next steps where further action may be needed.
Full Management Service
Our Full Management service includes tenant finding and rent collection, together with the day-to-day management of your property.
We handle tenant enquiries, coordinate maintenance and repairs, carry out routine property visits and help you keep track of relevant safety checks and compliance requirements.
Our services are managed in-house, giving you a personal point of contact throughout the tenancy.
Please refer to our current Fees and Services schedule and Terms of Business for the services included and any additional charges.
Speak to Layco Properties
Whether you are letting for the first time, reviewing an existing tenancy or looking for help managing your property, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Call: 01296 791 960
Email: declen@laycoproperties.co.uk
