Your first BTL: the no-fluff checklist before you complete

Completing on your first buy-to-let is exciting. It's also the moment most landlords slip up by skipping one of these:

1. Buildings insurance

Standard residential cover usually doesn't allow for tenants. Get specific BTL or landlord buildings cover. Check the wording on "unoccupied" periods (usually 30 days max).

2. Landlord insurance

Optional but genuinely useful: rent guarantee, contents (if furnished), public liability (£2-5m).

3. EPC

The property must have an E rating or above. If it's currently F or G, budget for upgrades before letting (and read our EPC C guide).

4. Gas safety record

If there's any gas appliance, get a CP12 done before move-in. Give the tenant a copy.

5. EICR

If the most recent EICR is over 5 years old (or there isn't one), book one before move-in.

6. Deposit scheme

Open an account with DPS (free), TDS or MyDeposits. Plan to protect the deposit within 30 days of receipt.

7. AST template

Use a current template (your solicitor will have one, or havelo's contract generator at /dashboard/contracts). Don't recycle one from the early 2010s.

Bonus: the day-1 admin

• Set up a separate bank account for the rent. Mixing with personal finances is the easiest way to lose tax-deduction discipline.
• Notify HMRC if you'll need to do self-assessment (income > £1,000 from property).
• Add the property to havelo and you're tracked from day 1.