Set up your lettings business structure
Choose your business structure - sole trader, limited company, or partnership.
Register for mandatory compliance schemes
Client Money Protection, redress schemes, AML registration, and deposit protection.
Apply for Rent Smart Wales licence (opens in a new tab)
Mandatory licensing for letting agents operating in Wales.
Register with Scottish Letting Agent Register (opens in a new tab)
Mandatory registration for letting agents operating in Scotland.
Understand deposit protection obligations
You must protect all tenant deposits within 30 days and provide prescribed information.
Check property energy efficiency requirements
Properties must meet minimum EPC E rating before letting in England and Wales.
Register for AML supervision (opens in a new tab)
Register with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision before trading.
Get business insurance
Professional indemnity and public liability insurance for letting agents.
Wales-specific letting requirements
Comply with Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 if you let property in Wales.
Register for tax (opens in a new tab)
Register for Self Assessment (sole trader) or Corporation Tax (limited company).