5 Red Flags New Landlords Miss
Becoming a landlord (whether by accident or design) can feel like stepping into a world with its own secret language. At first glance, it might seem simple: find tenants, collect rent, job done. But in reality, property management is a whole world of detail, decision-making, and legal responsibility.
And if you’re new to the game? It’s surprisingly easy to miss things that could later come back to bite you.
Here are five red flags new landlords often overlook, and more importantly, how to spot and avoid them.
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Not Properly Vetting Tenants
It sounds obvious, but when you’re eager to get someone in and the rent flowing, it’s tempting to rush the tenant checks. Many new landlords go on gut instinct, or assume a “nice” person is a safe bet.
But tenant referencing is about much more than personality. You need to understand their employment status, income stability, credit history, and previous rental behaviour. A good reference process protects both you and the tenant—because nobody wants to deal with arrears or disputes six months down the line.
If you’re not sure what to look for or what questions to ask, this is exactly where a letting agent earns their keep.
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Not Registering the Tenancy Deposit
It’s a legal requirement in England to register your tenant’s deposit with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it. This is one that many accidental landlords miss, simply because they don’t know it’s a rule.
The consequences of getting this wrong can be serious, including fines of up to three times the deposit and difficulty regaining possession of your property if things go wrong.
Make sure you not only register the deposit, but also provide the tenant with the prescribed information within the deadline. It’s not just a formality—it’s protection.
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No Written Inventory (Or a Rushed One)
Handing over keys without a proper, dated inventory is a recipe for disagreement later on. Photos on your phone and a quick note saying “flat in good condition” don’t hold much weight if you ever need to make deductions from the deposit.
A detailed, signed inventory, ideally supported by time-stamped photos, provides a fair baseline for both parties. It should include not just furniture and appliances, but condition of walls, carpets, doors, light fittings and even garden space.
The golden rule: if it’s there on move-in day, it should be recorded.
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Assuming You’ll Just Be Notified If Something Breaks
Many landlords rely on tenants to report maintenance issues. But here’s the catch: some tenants won’t. They may worry they’ll be blamed, or they might not notice the issue until it’s serious.
By the time a slow leak turns into a soggy ceiling, you’re dealing with bigger costs and potentially more time-consuming repairs.
Make it easy for your tenants to report problems early, and carry out regular checks (within the limits of their right to quiet enjoyment). Prevention is nearly always cheaper than the cure.
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Charging the Wrong Rent
Setting rent can feel like guesswork, especially if you’re not familiar with the local market. Set it too high, and your property sits empty. Set it too low, and you’re leaving money on the table—plus you may attract tenants who aren’t well suited to the property.
Many new landlords base their figure on a quick browse of online listings, but these don’t always reflect actual let prices. A local lettings expert can give you a realistic range based on current demand, property condition, and comparable rentals nearby.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve recently become a landlord—whether by inheritance, circumstance, or investment—there’s a lot to consider. But the good news? You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Most of the costly mistakes landlords make are entirely avoidable with the right advice, structure, and support in place. If any of the red flags above have got you thinking, or if you just want to be sure you’re ticking the right boxes, I’d love to help.
You’ve worked hard for your property—now let’s make sure it works just as hard for you.