Advice for landlords and letting agents
Safety rules for landlords and letting agents
If you rent out a home as part of a business, you must follow safety laws that protect tenants. These laws cover furniture, electrical goods, gas appliances and overall property standards. You must also give new tenants an Energy Performance Certificate so they understand the home's energy efficiency.
This page explains your main responsibilities and where you can get further advice.
What you must do
As a landlord or letting agent, you must make sure:
- all furniture and furnishings meet fire safety standards
- electrical goods are safe and in good working order
- gas appliances are checked and serviced by a registered engineer
- the property is safe and suitable for someone to live in
- tenants receive an Energy Performance Certificate before they move in
These rules apply to houses, flats, bedsits, holiday lets and any other furnished accommodation you rent out as part of a business.
Safety of goods in furnished accommodation
The Consumer Protection Act 1987 sets out safety requirements for any goods you provide in a rented home. This includes items such as cookers, kettles, heaters, lamps, sofas and beds. You are responsible for making sure everything is safe and meets legal standards.
You can visit our Safety of goods in furnished accommodation for further information.
Get advice and support
Because every property is different, you may need tailored guidance. Our trading standards team can give free advice on the full range of safety requirements for landlords and letting agents.
You can also obtain a tailor-made advice pack from our business advice pack facility.