Landlord compliance guides

Real answers to the questions we hear most — grounded in the same rules and dataset the free checker uses, not generic advice.

Do I actually need a licence to rent out my property?

Most landlords have never heard of selective licensing until a council letter — or a fine — tells them about it.

What's actually changing under the Renters' Rights Act (and when)

The Renters' Rights Act became law in 2025 — but “when does it actually affect ME” is the question most landlords still can't answer.

The five certificates that actually get landlords fined (and how long each one lasts)

It's rarely the licence a landlord forgot about that catches them out — it's a certificate that quietly expired.

Why “I didn't know my council had a scheme” isn't a defence

Selective licensing schemes change on a weeks-to-months cadence — not annually, which is exactly why landlords get caught out.

Compliant on paperwork, still exposed: the gap most landlords miss

Having every certificate up to date isn't the same as being fully compliant — a few obligations aren't certificates at all.