Landlord Advice and Guidance
Being a landlord has never been more demanding or more regulated. From the Renters’ Rights Act and tightening compliance standards to the day-to-day realities of managing tenants and property, staying informed is what separates successful landlords from struggling ones.
This is our complete library of landlord guidance, built from decades of working with landlords across the UK. Whether you’re letting your first property or managing a portfolio, you’ll find practical, up-to-date advice organised into the topics below. And when you’re ready to protect your investment, our award-winning landlord insurance is trusted by thousands of UK landlords; get a quote online in minutes.
Featured
A landlord’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Act
Designed to increase rental security, the Renters’ Rights Act brings in new rules on tenancies, evictions, pets, and rent increases. We explore the key changes landlords need to know about.
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Insurance advice for first-time landlords
New to letting? Whether you’ve inherited a property, become an accidental landlord, or made your first buy-to-let investment, our beginner guides cover the essentials: your responsibilities, the documents you need, and the landlord insurance that protects you from day one.
Advice for accidental landlords
Have you become an accidental landlord? Our guide gives you everything you need to navigate your way through the realities of becoming a landlord.
A UK landlord’s checklist
As a property owner you will have far more work to do than many people realise. We've put together an essential landlord checklist to make sure you've got things covered
Landlord insurance: a beginner's guide
Landlord insurance: where do you start, and what do you look out for? It can feel like you’re navigating a minefield when it comes to taking out landlord insurance, our guide can help you find the level of cover that’ll give you peace of mind.
Guide to landlord risks | The cost of being a landlord
Becoming a landlord: what are the risks, and how can you avoid them? There’s a lot to think about when you become a landlord, but understanding what you need to do and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls makes the process easier.
Law and regulations
The legal landscape for landlords changes constantly, with the Renters’ Rights Act being the biggest shift in a generation. Our guides break down the legislation, tenancy agreements, and deposit rules you need to follow, and our landlord legal expenses insurance backs you up when legal issues arise.
A guide to the different types of tenancy agreements in the UK
The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the way private renting works. We focus on what that means in practice for the different types of tenancy agreements in use and how it might affect your landlord insurance.
A guide to the Tenant Fees Act 2019
Since the Tenant Fees Act was passed in 2019, the fees charged by landlords and lettings agents have been severely restricted. In this guide, we show you which fees are still allowed – and which can put you on the wrong side of the law.
Landlord’s guide to government deposit schemes
When a landlord takes a tenant’s deposit, the money must be protected in one of the government-backed deposit schemes. We explain how these schemes work and what your obligations are.
Housing Act 1988 and how it impacts you
Find out how the Housing Act 1988 defined property rights and what that means for landlords right now.
Eviction and dispute resolution
With Section 21 gone, all evictions must now run through Section 8, and getting the process right matters more than ever. Our guides cover the new rules, difficult situations such as squatters and abandonment, and how to resolve disputes before they escalate. Legal expenses cover includes a 24/7 helpline and funds for repossession proceedings.
Property compliance and safety
Between EPCs, EICRs, fire safety, and fitness for habitation, your compliance obligations are extensive, and the penalties for missing them are severe. Our guides keep you on the right side of every requirement, and landlord liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong despite your best efforts.
Electrical checks for landlords | EICR report guide
Do you need an EICR report before you let out a property? Do you know the difference between Periodic Inspection Reports and Visual Inspection reports? Our guide to EICR for landlords answers these questions and more.
The current EPC rules for landlords
We take a definitive look at current EPC guidelines so you can be confident you're meeting your landlord responsibilities.
Fire safety rules for landlords
Landlords have a legal responsibility to adhere to fire regulations for rental properties, to protect both their tenants and their investment. In this guide to fire safety rules for landlords, we explain all the mandatory regulations for both domestic and commercial properties, including vital gas and electrical safety certificates.
Landlord certificate requirements
Landlords must ensure that a range of safety checks are carried out before you rent a property, and different documents are required in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Find the full Landlord certificate list
Rights and responsibilities
You have clear legal duties as a landlord and clear rights too. Our guides set out both sides: what you must provide, where your boundaries sit, and the landlord insurance that backs up your responsibilities with proper protection.
Your tenants
Good tenants make good tenancies. From screening and credit checks to managing issues and supporting tenants in various circumstances, our guides cover the entire tenant relationship. Protect your rental income with rent guarantee insurance and screen with confidence using tenant referencing services.
Finding good tenants | A landlord's guide
Every landlord wants to find good tenants for their buy-to-let properties. In this article, we share our tips and tricks for attracting responsible and pleasant tenants – and avoiding those ‘tenants from hell’.
Landlord's guide to tenant credit checks
Tenant credit checks can’t guarantee you’ll never have issues receiving rent, but they can help minimise the risk of problems with tenants later on; here’s how it works.
How to identify and manage problems with tenants
Troublesome tenants are a landlord’s worst nightmare. We look at ways of avoiding bad tenants, spotting the signs that things are going wrong, and how to deal with common issues.
Landlords: A guide to DSS tenants
A DSS tenant is someone who pays their rent with housing benefit. The term DSS is still used even though the DSS no longer exists as an organisation.
A landlord's guide to subletting
If tenants sublet your property with or without your permission, it can have implications for your investment, your mortgage and your insurance. In this article, we explain how subletting works, and what you can do to make sure you’re covered.
How to identify and manage problems with tenants
Troublesome tenants are a landlord’s worst nightmare. We look at ways of avoiding bad tenants, spotting the signs that things are going wrong, and how to deal with common issues.
Property management
Inspections, inventories, maintenance, and changeovers. Good property management protects your investment and keeps tenancies running smoothly. Our guides cover the practical side of being a landlord, from wear and tear to weather damage. Landlord building insurance covers the property itself when prevention isn’t enough.
A landlord’s guide to property inspections
House and property inspections play a vital role in making sure your property is being maintained. To help you arrange a house inspection and clarify your landlord rights and responsibilities, here’s what to consider.
Essential guide to the best property inventory list
To help you prepare and implement an effective report, here’s our essential guide on how to create the best property inventory.
End of tenancy cleaning - a guide for landlords
End of tenancy cleaning causes more disputes between landlords and tenants than any other single issue. We've put together this guide to cover everything both landlords and tenants need to know to make sure the end of tenancy cleaning process is as smooth as possible.
Damp and mould in rental property
Damp and mould can cause serious issues. Here, we take a look at the causes of damp and the responsibilities tenants and landlords both have in resolving the problem.
Holiday lets and short-term rentals
Holiday lets play by different rules, with different tax treatment, different regulations, and different insurance needs. Whether you’re listing on Airbnb or running a holiday cottage, our guides cover what you need to know, and our Airbnb insurance is built for the way short-term properties are actually used.
Guide to buying and renting out a holiday let
If you’re considering buying and renting out a holiday home there’s plenty to think about. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore every aspect to buying a holiday home and successfully renting it out.
Is buy-to-let better than a holiday let?
Are you deciding whether to invest in a holiday home or a buy-to-let property? We look at the pros and cons of owning each.
What is the 90-day rule in property?
What is London’s 90-day rule for short-stay property rentals, and what does it mean for landlords?
Airbnb vs Vrbo: Which is best for your rental property?
Airbnb or Vrbo - which platform is best for your rental property? We explore the pros and cons of each, plus the insurance you will need to ensure your property is fully protected.
Landlord income and tax
Tax on rental income, Section 24, capital gains, and the limited company question. The financial side of letting has a direct impact on your returns. Our guides help you understand your obligations and properly measure your investment, starting by ensuring your landlord insurance is cost-effective.
Landlord tax guide
Tax can be a complicated subject for landlords, such as income tax, stamp duty, capital gains tax, corporation tax, and landlord tax relief. We've teamed up with Norwich Accountancy Services to provide some detail on tax for landlords.
How to work out rental yield
Use our rental yield calculator to work out the value of your property investment, plus how to work it out manually, why it matters, and what is a good rental yield?
How much tax do I need to pay on rental income?
Tax on rental income can be complex to navigate. To ensure you don’t get caught out, here’s what you need to consider when paying tax on your rental income.
What is section 24?
Here, we explore how Section 24 works, how it affects landlord income and what you can do to off-set the effects. such as Tax relief changes and the impact on income.
Commercial landlord
Commercial letting follows its own rules; from lease structures and insurance responsibilities to evicting business tenants. Our guides cover the commercial landlord’s world, backed by specialist commercial landlord insurance for offices, retail, and mixed-use property.