Help and advice for landlords

It's important that you keep up to date with changes in housing legislation, policy and practice to make sure that you are operating within the law. You may wish to consider taking part in an accredited training programme or joining a professional body. This type of training and support could help you deal with any problems that arise with your tenants and help you manage your properties effectively.

Once you set up as a landlord, you have certain rights which your tenants must respect.

Your house needs to be up to certain standards before it can be rented out. You may need to ask the council to inspect your property and will have to abide by certain safety requirements.

People who are interested in moving in to your property will probably start to contact you as soon as you've advertised the letting. An agent will usually find tenants for your property for an agreed fee, but there are some things you should consider if you decide to go it alone.

Any deposits taken on or after 1 April 2013 must be registered with an authorised Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme administrator. Deposits taken before that date don't need to be registered with one of these schemes.

All tenants have a legal right to apply for housing benefit to help them with their housing costs. You should get to know how housing benefit is calculated and paid.

Rates can cause a huge headache for landlords and tenants. Make sure you understand who is responsible for paying these from the outset.

There is a set legal process for ending a tenancy which can only be bypassed with the written agreement of both you and the tenant. Make sure you follow the law carefully if you have decided to evict a tenant.

Tenancies which meet certain criteria are known as protected tenancies. The tenants who live in these tenancies have greater rights and rents for these tenancies are set by the Rent Officer, rather than the individual landlord.