Guidance for landlords

Understanding your responsibilities

You have legal responsibilities as a landlord, including:

• keeping your rented properties safe and free from health hazards
• making sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained
• providing an Energy Performance Certificate for the property
• Installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• protecting your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme
• checking your tenant has the right to rent your property
• giving your tenant a copy of the how to rent checklist when they start renting from you

See GOV.UK – renting out your property.

Join our landlord forum

Our landlord forums provide the opportunity to meet with the council and other landlords. The forum aims to:

• promote good quality accommodation in Hackney and encourage good practice  
• provide a platform for you to share experiences of renting accommodation in Hackney
• increase awareness of changes in the law
• allow us to consult with you on new policies

If you’re an accredited landlord with the LLAS, attending the forum earns you CPD points.

Join our landlord forum

Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)

Since 1 April 2020 to legally rent a property it must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G  – unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions register.

The regulations were introduced to improve the energy efficiency of housing in the private rented sector, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change.

The new regulations cover all rented properties, even if there has been no change of tenancy. As the local authority, we enforce these regulations.

Visit GOV.UK for: 

• guidance for landlords of private rented properties on how to comply with the minimum energy efficiency standards
• guidance on Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

Find an energy certificate

Home improvement assistance grants

There are grants available to improve your home. These include a warmth and security grant for works to improve the energy efficiency and security of a private home.

See discretionary renovation grants for homes.

Training and accreditation

Give your tenants the confidence that you are a good landlord or agent by joining the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS).

The scheme is suitable for anyone involved in renting property, from a new landlord to an established letting agent, with training on everything from tenancy agreements to legislation. 

Being accredited by LLAS also means you meet the London Rental Standard – a voluntary set of minimum standards that the Mayor of London expects landlords and managing and letting agents operating in the private rented sector to meet.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) and the Residential Landlords Association  (RLA) also run courses and training for landlords.