Landlord Certification – What You Need To Know

Becoming a landlord comes with significant responsibilities, and ensuring your property meets the required standards is one of the most important. Landlord certificates are not just a formality; they play a vital role in safeguarding tenants, protecting your property, and maintaining compliance with legal regulations.

Find out more about what landlord certification entails, the essential certificates you need, and how to stay on top of your obligations.

What is landlord certification?

As a landlord, you need certain certificates to confirm that your property is safe, habitable, and compliant with current regulations. These certificates vary depending on the location and type of property but often include safety checks and assessments to ensure both the property and its amenities are up to standard.

Having the appropriate certificates demonstrates that as a landlord, you are committed to providing a secure living environment for your tenants. They also protect you from potential legal or financial issues.

Essential certificates for landlords

There are multiple certificates you’ll need to help you rent out your property, including:

Gas Safety Certificate
A Gas Safety Certificate is a legal requirement for properties with gas appliances. This certificate, issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer, ensures that boilers, cookers, and other gas installations are safe to use. Renewed annually, it’s there to protect tenants from gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC rates the energy efficiency of your property, from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). In most cases, rental properties must meet a minimum EPC rating to be let legally. This certificate promotes energy-saving measures, which can also reduce utility bills for tenants.

Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
Electrical installations and wiring in rental properties must be inspected every 5 years to help landlords meet electrical safety standards. The EICR ensures the electrics are safe and identifies potential hazards that need addressing.

Fire Safety Compliance
Depending on the property type, you may need additional fire safety measures, such as fire alarms, extinguishers, and escape routes. For Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), fire safety regulations are even more stringent, requiring regular checks and compliance reports.

Legionella Risk Assessment
While not always legally required, a Legionella risk assessment is highly recommended to prevent Legionnaires’ disease. This applies to water systems in your property, especially in cases where water can stagnate.

Why are these certificates important?

Failing to obtain the required certificates can lead to serious consequences, including hefty fines, void insurance policies, and even legal action. Here’s why they matter:

Legal compliance
Landlords have a legal obligation to provide safe and habitable accommodation. Certificates ensure that your property meets safety and health standards, helping you avoid penalties or bans from renting out your property.

Insurance requirements
Most landlord insurance policies require up-to-date certificates to remain valid. Without them, you risk losing coverage for property damage or liability claims.

Tenant safety
Certification ensures your property is free from hazards, providing peace of mind for your tenants and protecting their well-being.

Property protection
Regular inspections and certificates can identify issues early, reducing the risk of costly repairs or damage down the line.

How to obtain landlord certificates

You can obtain the certificates you need with the help of the following steps:

Hire qualified professionals
For gas safety and electrical checks, hire registered engineers and assessors. Always verify their credentials to ensure compliance.

Book regular inspections
Set reminders for certification renewals, as many need to be updated annually or every few years.

Maintain records
Keep copies of all certificates and inspection reports. This not only helps with legal compliance but also ensures you’re prepared in case of disputes or emergencies.

Stay updated on legislation
Landlord regulations can change, so staying informed about updates will help you remain compliant and ensure you have all of the right landlord certificates.

Common pitfalls for landlords

Many landlords face challenges in managing their certifications. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Forgetting renewal dates
Missing certification renewals can lead to non-compliance. Use digital tools or apps to track expiry dates.

Hiring unqualified assessors
To save money, some landlords opt for unlicensed professionals, which can invalidate certifications. Always check qualifications.

Ignoring property updates
Renovations or changes to the property may affect existing certificates, so reassess compliance after any major work.

Assuming it’s a one-time task
Certificates often require periodic renewal. Treat them as ongoing responsibilities rather than a one-off process.

Obtain landlord certificates with phs Compliance

Obtaining the correct landlord certificates is one of your key duties as a landlord to protect both your property and your tenants. At phs Compliance, we can help you obtain a number your essential landlord certificates, making it easy to get what you need. All of our assessors are qualified, with regular training to maintain compliance with regulations and changes to requirements. Some of the areas we can help with include:

phs Compliance is one of the leading providers of statutory electrical fire safety testing and remedial services in the UK. We can help landlords get the right certificates to help you meet your responsibilities and provide the best services to tenants.