Listed below are some important facts and regulations for all Landlords. For further information or indeed to arrange for a valuation for rental, please call +44 (0) 20 8458 9119 or email enquire@godfreyandbarr.com
Most private residential tenancies with rents up to £100,000 per annum are now governed by the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
These are generally granted as Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT) rather than fixed-term agreements.
All tenancy deposits must be protected within a Government-approved scheme such as the Tenancy Deposit Scheme(TDS). Failure to comply places the Landlord in breach of statutory requirements.
If you are considering letting your property, or deciding whether to let or sell, the most important starting point is informed advice.
We will guide you through:
Our advice is provided without obligation but can save considerable time, cost and potential difficulty.
We are increasingly finding that Landlords are opting for full management.
‘Let Only’ means we source and reference a Tenant and prepare the tenancy documentation. Thereafter, responsibility passes to you for:
With management, we handle the entire process on your behalf, including rent collection, compliance, tenant liaison and repairs.
Given the increasing complexity of legislation, many Landlords now prefer the reassurance of a full management service.
One of our experienced team will assess your property, advise on achievable rental value and recommend how best to present and market it.
We also advise on compliance requirements including:
There is no charge for this service.
Tenants will usually pay a security deposit prior to occupation.
This is usually held in accordance with the rules of an approved scheme such as the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.
At the end of the tenancy, the deposit may be used to cover:
Subject to agreement, any balance is returned to the Tenant.
Under previous legislation, possession could often be obtained using a Section 21 notice.
This is no longer the case.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, Landlords must now rely on the statutory grounds set out under Section 8 notice.
These include:
Correct service of notice and compliance with all legal requirements (including provision of EPC, gas safety and prescribed information) is essential.
If you are resident outside the UK, rental income may be subject to the HMRC Non-Resident Landlord Scheme.
Landlords must:
We are experienced in assisting overseas landlords with these requirements.
As a Landlord, you are responsible for ensuring that your property is safe and compliant.
This includes:
Failure to comply can result in financial penalties and difficulties in recovering possession.
Whilst it is possible to let and manage a property independently, the regulatory landscape is increasingly complex.
Using an experienced agent ensures:
Godfrey & Barr have over 30 years’ experience in residential lettings and management across NW London and Hertfordshire.
We handle properties ranging from apartments to substantial family homes and regularly act for private individuals and corporate clients.
As members of PropertyMark, we adhere to professional standards and remain up to date with all legislative requirements affecting the rental market.
Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT)
Where the rent is £100,000 or less per annum and the Tenant is an individual, tenancies are generally granted as Assured Periodic Tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 as amended.
Key features:
Common Law Tenancies / Company Lets
Where:
the tenancy will fall outside the Housing Act and will be governed by contract law.
These arrangements:
Under Assured Periodic Tenancies, formal renewals are no longer generally required.
Tenancies continue on a rolling basis unless terminated.
Break clauses and options must be agreed at the outset and will depend on the type of tenancy agreement and will not apply to APT’s
In certain cases, Tenants may request an option to purchase, which must be agreed separately.
Rent is payable monthly in advance by standing order for APT’s and for common law or company lettings, this is as agreed on the contract.
Where we are instructed to manage the property, we will:
Rental income may be subject to UK taxation.
For non-resident landlords, HMRC rules require:
We can assist with general guidance, although you should seek independent tax advice where required.
Deposits are typically:
They are held as stakeholder in accordance with deposit protection legislation for APT’s. For tenancies outside the Housing Act, separate arrangements may apply, subject to agreement.
A detailed inventory is essential and should be prepared prior to occupation.
This protects both parties and forms the basis for assessing any deductions at the end of the tenancy.
Independent inventory clerks are usually instructed.
Once terms are agreed, we will prepare documentation and request a holding deposit (subject to current legislation).
This secures the property whilst referencing and checks are undertaken.
Tenants are generally responsible for:
Relevant authorities and providers must be notified at the start and end of the tenancy.
Landlords must ensure:
Tenants are responsible for insuring their own belongings.
At the end of the tenancy:
The deposit is then returned, subject to any agreed deductions.
Under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, upholstered furniture must meet fire resistance requirements.
Non-compliance is a criminal offence.
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998:
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020:
In certain circumstances, SDLT may apply to tenancy agreements, calculated by reference to the net present value of the rent.
Further information is available from HMRC and is the responsibility of the tenant.
Our fees are:
Based on the annual rent, paid in advance and charged for the duration of the tenancy
All fees are plus VAT at the prevailing rate.
Full terms and conditions are available upon request.
In the current regulatory environment, full management is no longer simply a convenience.
It is a practical safeguard.
With legislation evolving and compliance requirements increasing, landlords benefit from:
Quite simply — we take care, so you don’t have to.
We have built a reputation for:
Whether you are letting a single property or managing a portfolio, our approach remains the same:
careful, considered and fully professional.
Property remains a strong long-term investment — but success today depends on professional management and compliance.
We are here to ensure your property is handled properly, your risk is minimised, and your return is optimised.
If you would like to discuss letting or managing your property, we would be delighted to assist.
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