How to Prepare Your London Property for Letting
Step 1 — Mortgage & Legal Permissions First
If you have a standard residential mortgage, you will need consent from your lender before letting. If you're letting temporarily, your mortgage company may grant consent to let but if you have no intention of returning to the property, you'll need to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage with higher interest rates. If your property is leasehold, you also need permission from the freeholder to let it.
Step 2 — Legal Safety Certificates (All Mandatory)
The following must all be in place before letting:
Gas Safety Certificate — annual check required; provide a copy to the tenant within 28 days or before move-in, whichever is sooner
Legionella risk assessment — landlords must assess and control the risk of legionella bacteria in the water system; must be documented even if done by yourself
Right to Rent check — verify every adult tenant has the legal right to rent in England; keep copies for the duration of the tenancy and one year after it ends.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — your property must be rated at least an E; give your tenant a copy at the start of the tenancy. Keep an eye on 2026 updates that may tighten future rating requirements.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is also required — valid for five years and must be provided to tenants before move-in.
Step 3 — Get the Property in Good Physical Condition
Think like a tenant viewing the property for the first time:
Decoration — freshly painted neutral walls photograph well and appeal to the widest range of tenants; especially important for premium Mayfair and Pimlico properties
Damp and mould — Awaab's Law now extends to private rentals, requiring landlords to deal with serious hazards like damp and mould within strict timeframes — fix any issues before marketing
Kitchen and bathrooms — the two rooms that most influence tenant decisions; ensure appliances work, grouting is clean, and fixtures are in good order
Boiler and heating — service the boiler and ensure the heating system works properly before viewings
Garden or outdoor space — especially relevant for Teddington and Weybridge properties; tidy and presentable gardens add letting value
Step 4 — Professional Photography & Marketing
For London properties — especially in Mayfair and Pimlico — professional photography is non-negotiable. Jackson-Stops and other premium agents will arrange this as part of their service. Properties with professional photos let faster and at higher rents.
Most letting agents will list on Rightmove and Zoopla — the two platforms where the vast majority of tenant searches begin — so ensure your agent has strong presence on both.
Step 5 — Tenancy Administration
A landlord checklist covers four key stages: preparing the property, finding tenants, managing the tenancy, and ending it correctly. Failing to meet certain obligations can result in fines, loss of your right to serve possession notices, or prosecution.
Key documents to prepare:
Periodic tenancy agreement — fixed-term ASTs no longer apply under the Renters' Rights Act; all new tenancies must be periodic
How to Rent guide — government booklet you must provide to every new tenant
Deposit protection — register the deposit with a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) within 30 days of receiving it; maximum deposit is now one month's rent
Inventory and schedule of condition — essential for protecting yourself against deposit disputes at checkout
Step 6 — Register on the PRS Database
The Renters' Rights Act establishes a new Private Rented Sector database. Once live, landlords must register their property and tenancy before letting. This is rolling out from late 2026 keep an eye on government announcements for when it goes live in your areas.
Step 7 — Tax & Financial Preparation
You'll need to pay income tax on rental profit and complete a self-assessment by 31st January each year. Allowable expenses include insurance, letting agent fees, maintenance costs, and costs of finding new tenants. From April 2026, landlords with qualifying income exceeding £50,000 per annum must register for Making Tax Digital (MTD) and submit tax returns using approved software. For your properties in Mayfair, Pimlico, Teddington, and Weybridge, a fully managed agent in london like Jackson-Stops will handle most of the above on your behalf including arranging certificates, referencing tenants, drawing up compliant tenancy agreements, and conducting the inventory.