The accidental landlord's guide to letting a property

Not everyone sets out to be a landlord. You might have inherited a house, moved in with a partner and kept your old place, or struggled to sell and decided to let instead. However you got here, letting a property comes with real legal duties from day one. The good news is that done properly, it can be a steady source of income. Here is how to start on the right foot.

1. Check you are allowed to let

Before anything else, confirm the basics. If you have a mortgage, you need consent to let or a buy to let product, as letting without permission can breach your terms. Check your buildings insurance too, because a standard policy will not cover a tenanted property. You will need landlord insurance instead.

2. Get the property compliant

This is the part accidental landlords most often underestimate. Before a tenant moves in you typically need a valid gas safety record, an electrical safety report (EICR), an Energy Performance Certificate, and working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Our 2026 compliance checklist walks through every item in order.

3. Understand the tax side

Rental income is taxable and must be declared to HMRC, usually through a Self Assessment return. You can offset certain costs, and the rules around mortgage interest relief have changed in recent years. A good accountant will save you more than they cost, and through our network we can point you to one who knows landlords.

Treat it as a small business from day one and the rest gets much easier.

4. Set a realistic rent

Overprice it and the property sits empty, which costs far more than pitching it right. A local valuation based on what comparable homes are actually achieving in your part of Doncaster is worth getting before you advertise.

5. Find the right tenant, not just any tenant

A thorough referencing process, including credit and right to rent checks, is what stands between you and months of stress. This is one area where cutting corners rarely ends well.

6. Decide how hands on you want to be

You can manage the tenancy yourself, or hand it over. Many accidental landlords simply do not have the time or the appetite for late night repair calls and changing legislation. That is exactly what full management is for. If you are happy to run things but want help finding a tenant, let only covers the setup.