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Being a landlord in London isn’t just about collecting rent—it’s about staying compliant.
One legal slip-up can lead to fines, rent repayment orders, or even losing your right to evict a tenant.
Here are the top 5 legal mistakes landlords still make (and how to avoid them):
1. Not Registering Deposits Properly
If you take a deposit, it must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
Mistake:
Some landlords forget, register it late, or don’t give the prescribed information.
Risk:
Tenants can claim up to 3x the deposit and you lose the right to serve a valid Section 21.
2. Using Outdated Tenancy Agreements
The law changes—your paperwork needs to keep up.
Mistake:
Reusing old templates without checking for updates (like clauses around EPCs, tenant fees, or pets).
Risk:
Agreements may be unenforceable or expose you to challenges.
3. Serving Invalid Section 21 Notices
Serving a Section 21 is a legal process—not a simple letter.
Mistake:
Landlords often serve it while missing legal steps (like not providing a valid EPC, How to Rent guide, or gas certificate).
Risk:
Your notice gets thrown out, and the eviction fails.
4. Ignoring Local Licensing Rules
Many London councils have additional licensing schemes.
Mistake:
Not checking if your property falls under selective, additional, or HMO licensing.
Risk:
Fines up to £30,000 and rent repayment orders.
5. Overcharging Tenants for Fees
Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, most fees are banned.
Mistake:
Charging for admin, cleaning, or referencing that’s no longer allowed.
Risk:
Refunds, fines, and being banned from letting properties.
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This is exactly why we built our Guaranteed Rent model—no legal guesswork, no risk.
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We cover more mistakes and how to avoid them in our free landlord guide:
👉 Download the Void Periods Book
