Worried about Letting Your First Property? Here’s 5 tips every landlord needs to know before they hand over the keys.

Taking the first step into the world of property letting can feel like both an exciting opportunity and a daunting challenge. Whether you’ve inherited a home, bought a buy-to-let investment, or are relocating and renting out your own house. Becoming a landlord is a serious undertaking.

But done right, it can be incredibly rewarding.

At MorfittSmith, we’ve helped hundreds of new landlords take their first confident step with our property management services. We know exactly where the common pitfalls lie. So here’s what you should consider before you start.

1. Understand Your Legal Responsibilities

Letting out a rental property isn’t just about handing over the keys and collecting rental income. There’s a long list of legal requirements that apply from day one, including:

• A valid Gas Safety Certificate (renewed annually)
• A current Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR – every 5 years)
• Smoke alarms on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel appliances
• A Right to Rent check
• Deposit protection in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt
• A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum rating of E

These aren’t just best practices, they’re legal requirements. Missing one could lead to fines or prevent you from regaining possession of your property later. Staying compliant is the foundation of successful letting.

2. Decide If You’re Going DIY or Using a dedicated 

One of the biggest decisions new landlords face is whether to manage everything themselves. Or appoint a letting agent to manage and rent out their property

Doing it yourself 

This gives you more control, but it also means being on call 24/7. Staying up to date with changing laws, handling disputes, arranging repairs, and chasing rent if needed.

Working with a dedicated property management agent 

This means your property and your tenants are looked after. But you can still be as involved day to day (or hands-off) as you like. Many first-time landlords prefer to start with support and build their confidence from there.

A good agent will also help you navigate tenant referencing, legal paperwork, inspections, and renewals. All while giving you peace of mind that nothing’s being missed.

3. Present Your Property in the Best Light

First impressions matter. A clean, well-maintained property will attract better tenants and often secure a better rent. Before you let:

• Fix anything broken – even small issues like dripping taps or squeaky doors
• Deep clean every room, or bring in professionals
• Consider a fresh coat of paint in neutral colours
• Stage the property attractively for marketing photos
• Maintain the garden or outdoor areas to look welcoming

It’s worth taking the time – because better presentation often leads to a quicker let and longer tenancies.

4. Tenant Referencing is Crucial

Even if someone seems friendly and trustworthy at a viewing, you still need to check their background. Proper referencing includes:

• A credit check
• Employment and income verification
• Previous landlord references
• Confirmation of Right to Rent eligibility

A good tenant can make your letting experience smooth and profitable. A poor one can make it stressful and expensive. Referencing isn’t just box-ticking. It’s your first line of defence.

5. Plan for the Unexpected

Even with the best planning, things can go wrong,  boilers break, tenants fall behind on rent, and legal disputes can arise. That’s why it’s wise to:

• Put aside funds for emergency repairs
• Consider landlord insurance or rent protection
• Build relationships with trusted local tradespeople

And most importantly, don’t panic. If you’ve got the right support in place, most issues can be resolved quickly and fairly.

Final Thoughts From MorfittSmith Sheffield

Becoming a landlord for the first time is a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re after full property management. Or just want help finding the right tenants. Our team at MorfittSmith is here to support you every step of the way.

📞 Thinking of letting your first property?
Call us on 0114 232 1764 for free, friendly advice – or drop us a message and let’s talk.

📝 Want help making sure your property is compliant?
Download our free Landlord Compliance Checklist and make sure you’re ticking all the right boxes before your first let:
👉 Click here to download it now

Want to understand how the Renters’ Rights Bill might affect you?
We’ve broken it all down for you in plain English – what’s coming, what it means, and how to prepare:
👉 Read more about the Renters’ Rights Bill here

We’re here to help you let with confidence.
We Are MorfittSmith.