Lettings expert Leaders has urged property owners to remember their legal responsibilities when renting out a home.
Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves admitted she had let out her London property without the required selective licence from Southwark Council.
She’s not the first in the Labour Party to fall foul of a property-related scandal this year.
Earlier this year, Rushanara Ali, then minister for homelessness, resigned following reports she told tenants their lease would not be renewed before re-advertising the same property at a higher rent.
And Angela Rayner (formerly deputy prime minister and housing secretary) resigned following an ethics investigation into her underpayment of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) on an £800,000 flat in Hove.
To help landlords avoid costly mistakes, Leaders lists the legal requirements every landlord must meet:
- Check local licensing requirements. Confirm whether the property requires a mandatory, additional or selective licence from the local authority.
- Obtain consent to let. If the property is mortgaged, leasehold or subject to insurer conditions, secure written permission to let.
- Provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Properties must meet a minimum rating of E and tenants must be given a copy before moving in.
- Ensure safety compliance. Provide a valid Gas Safety Certificate each year, an Electrical Installation Condition Report every five years, and install smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms where applicable.
- Protect the tenant’s deposit. Register deposits in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and serve prescribed information to the tenant.
- Conduct Right to Rent checks. Verify and record the immigration status of all adult occupiers.
- Provide correct documentation. Supply the tenancy agreement, the Government’s “How to Rent” guide, the gas and EPC certificates, and the deposit information at the start of the tenancy.
- Follow the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Only charge permitted fees, such as rent, refundable deposits, and agreed early termination costs.
- Maintain and repair the property. Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are legally responsible for the property’s structure, exterior, plumbing, heating and sanitation.
- Use valid notices for eviction. Ensure all legal and safety obligations are met before issuing a Section 21 or Section 8 notice; non-compliance can invalidate it.
- Declare rental income correctly. Ensure taxes are reported accurately, and where required, use Making Tax Digital-compatible systems.
Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director of Leaders, said: “This situation underlines the importance of understanding your legal responsibilities as a landlord. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about maintaining trust and ensuring tenants live in safe, well-managed homes. Our advice is to check your property licences, keep your safety certificates current, and review your documentation regularly.
“The cost of getting it wrong is far greater than the effort it takes to get it right – knowledge isn’t optional anymore, it’s risk management. To support landlords, we’re offering free Renters’ Rights Health Checks through our local branches, helping identify any gaps in compliance before they become costly mistakes. I can’t recommend strongly enough that landlords work with a good quality letting agent who understands the legislation and keeps compliance front and centre.”
“These incidents highlight that even experienced owners and senior politicians can overlook critical requirements such as valid licensing, accurate tax or tenure documentation, and fair leasing behaviour. This reinforces our message: attention to the fundamentals matters.”
