PDPLA Landlords Checklist Available
Being a landlord is more complicated than most of us realise. The laws affecting us are changing all the time and even experienced landlords are omitting to carry out some mandatory requirements.
The PDPLA Landlords’ Checklist has been created to assist landlords, especially less experienced landlords, in managing a tenancy.
It is by no means a ‘Letting Manual’ but a list of requirements that the landlord needs to address.
The checklist has been set out in chronological order from pre new tenancy to ending a normal agreement. We have not attempted to cover repossessing a property when the relationship has broken down as this is a very complex business with many variables.
Many landlords, sometimes encouraged by agents and service providers, get confused as to what is a legal requirement or will incur penalties, what is recommended and what is just a good idea. To address this problem we have ranked the requirements by level of importance; (3) being must do as penalties may apply, (2) being recommended, and (1) being useful.
We have also included a list of useful websites that can give you further information.
The checklist has been designed for standard tenancies, however, we hope to include sections on: HMOs, Student Letting, ‘Benefits’ Letting, Holiday Letting and Furnished Letting in the future.
The intention is that this is an evolving document. We want to hear from you the user if you believe any other requirements need to be added to the checklist, or you have and suggestions for its improvement. Please let us know at
About the author
Martin began his landlord journey 30 years ago, while working in an international role for a global telecommunications company. Since retiring he has extended his portfolio, which he manages with his wife, but has always focussed on the ‘small student HMO’ sector preferring to offer homes in the community for small groups to the more common ‘pack them in and take the money’ mentality. He has chaired the PDPLA for the past 12 years and has overseen the Associations transition from small local self-help group to a much larger and more professional institution which is recognised and listened to nationally. Alongside his PDPLA role, he also has leadership roles in a number of other local organisations – bringing his unique perspective, driving for change and increased use of technology while respecting the history that brought us here.