Welcome to your summer mid-year check-in! As we hit the halfway point of the year, it's the perfect time for landlords across the UK to take stock of their rental properties. Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and for many, a short breather before the busy September rush—making now the ideal moment to tick off some key property management tasks.

Whether you’re managing one flat or a portfolio, this guide from I Am The Agent is designed to help you stay ahead, stay compliant, and keep your tenants (and your property) happy.

☀️ Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Get Ahead

Summer is more than just a time for holidays—it's also a smart season for landlords to catch up on property care and compliance. Here’s why:

• Better weather makes it easier to handle maintenance jobs like roof checks, painting, gardening, or outdoor repairs.

• Student tenancies and summer move-outs mean a lot of landlords are dealing with check-outs, deposit returns, and preparing for new tenants.

• Mid-year is a great checkpoint—leaving everything until year-end often leads to last-minute stress.

At I Am The Agent, we know self-management can be busy, but taking action now helps prevent small issues from snowballing into bigger ones. Let’s dive into what you should be reviewing right now.

✅ The Mid-Year Compliance Checklist

Here’s what every landlord should review this summer to make sure your property is up to standard and your paperwork is in order.

🔧 Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Every rental with gas appliances must have a valid Gas Safety Certificate, renewed annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You also need to give your tenants a copy within 28 days of the check. If your last inspection was in summer 2024 or earlier, it’s time to book your next one.

💡 Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

This became a legal requirement in 2020. All rented properties in England must have their electrical systems inspected at least every 5 years. If yours was last checked before or during 2019, now is the time to schedule it.

♻️ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

EPCs are valid for 10 years and your property must be rated E or above to be legally rented out. You’ll need a valid EPC to market your property on I Am The Agent. Check yours hasn’t expired—if it has, we can help arrange a new one.

📝 Deposit Compliance

Any deposit taken from tenants must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and tenants must be given the required legal documents. This applies to any new or renewed tenancies in 2025. If the tenancy rolls into a periodic agreement with no changes, there's usually no need to re-protect the deposit—but check the terms of your chosen scheme to be safe.

📘 "How to Rent" Guide

In England, landlords must give tenants the latest version of the How to Rent guide at the start of any new tenancy. The most recent version was updated in 2023. If you’re starting or renewing a tenancy, make sure the guide is current. This doesn’t apply in Wales or Scotland, where different documentation is required.

🔔 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

You must have:

• A working smoke alarm on every floor.

• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel or gas-burning appliance.

Summer is a great time to press the test buttons and make sure they’re working. If not, you’re responsible for fixing or replacing them as soon as possible.

🏢 Landlord Licensing

Depending on the location and type of property, you may need a landlord or HMO license. Some councils also have selective licensing zones. Now is a good time to check your local council’s website to see if any new rules apply to your rental(s).

In:

• Wales – landlords must register with Rent Smart Wales and obtain a licence if managing properties directly.

• Scotland – all landlords must be registered with their local authority.

🛂 Right to Rent Checks

In England, you must verify your tenants' right to rent before they move in. For ongoing tenancies, follow-up checks are only required if the tenant has time-limited immigration status. This rule does not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

🚪 Access & Property Security

Summer is also the right time to assess the overall safety and security of your property:

• Check locks, entry gates, intercom systems, communal doors, and lighting.

• Ensure that communal areas or access routes are free of hazards.

• If your property is in a block, check that building management is addressing any safety issues too.

📂 Review Your Key Documents

Take a moment to look over your:

• Tenancy agreements

• Insurance policies (landlord insurance, rent guarantee, etc.)

• Inventory reports and inspection records

Keeping your paperwork up to date will save you time later and help protect you in the event of a dispute.

🔄 Handling Tenancy Changeovers

If you have student lets or summer tenancies, now’s the time to:

• Schedule inventory checks and professional cleaning

• Arrange deposit returns and check-outs

• Prepare marketing materials for re-letting

• Draw up and send new tenancy agreements

Need help? You can manage all this and more via your I Am The Agent landlord dashboard.

☀️ Planning for Summer Holidays

Just as your tenants may be heading off for holidays, you might be too. If so:

• Make sure your tenants know how to reach you or a backup contact.

• Check your insurance policy covers periods of vacancy.

• Use this quiet period to book any work or inspections while the property is empty.

🌿 Gardens and Outdoor Areas

Start outside! A tidy, well-maintained outdoor space not only looks good in listing photos but also helps prevent problems.

• Lawn and hedges: Trim back hedges, mow the lawn, and clear dead plants or debris.

• Gutters and downpipes: Clear them of leaves and gunk — this helps prevent leaks when summer storms hit.

• Roof check: Look for missing or loose tiles. Summer is the safest time to arrange repairs before autumn arrives.

• Decking or balconies: Hot weather can dry and crack wood. Treat wooden surfaces and check for loose railings or boards. Ask tenants to flag any wobbles or wear and tear.

💡 IATA tip: Make sure garden responsibilities are clearly set out in your tenancy agreement. Who mows the lawn? Who weeds the flower beds? Clear expectations reduce friction.

🔥 Heating, Ventilation & Indoor Comfort

It might be warm outside, but now is the perfect time to prepare for colder months.

• Boiler service: Book your annual boiler check while heating engineers are less busy.

• Test thermostats and heating controls: Ensure everything’s working before you need it.

• Ventilation check: Open all windows and test locks, catches, and trickle vents.

• Seal check: Look for any perished or missing sealant around window frames — it keeps warm air in winter and cool air in summer.

• Extractor fans: In bathrooms and kitchens, check fans are clean and running well to prevent condensation and mould.

If your tenants report stuffy rooms or condensation, it may be time to improve airflow. Summer heat can sometimes bring hidden damp patches to light — check corners and behind furniture for any signs of mould.

💧 Plumbing, Drains & Water Systems

Summer is a great time to check for small issues that could become big headaches later.

• Leaks and drips: Look under sinks, around the boiler, and behind appliances.

• Toilet checks: Make sure cisterns aren’t constantly running and all flushes are working.

• Outdoor taps: If the garden tap hasn’t been used since winter, turn it on and check for cracks or leaks.

• Little-used drains: Pour water down spare showers or utility drains to clear any debris and re-fill traps.

💡 IATA tip: Don’t forget outdoor drains — leaves, moss, and general muck build up over spring. A quick clean now could prevent costly water backups during heavy summer showers.

🐜 Pests, Bins & Unwanted Visitors

Warm weather means pests are more active — and a few small issues can quickly become big ones.

• Common culprits: Ants, wasps, flies, and even mice love the summer.

• Bin hygiene: Ensure tenants are managing waste well, especially in high-heat months. Flies love overflowing bins!

• Seal entry points: Look for gaps in brickwork, missing vent covers, or cracks around pipes — these are easy access points for pests.

• Wasp nests: Check roof eaves, sheds, and garages. A small nest can often be treated early.

If your property is near water or food outlets (like a river or a restaurant), you might want to consider a pest control contract for peace of mind. Otherwise, fast reporting and prompt response usually keep things in check.

🌱 Bonus Alert: Invasive Plants

Summer is when plants thrive — and not all of them are welcome.

If you (or your tenant) spot Japanese Knotweed, don’t ignore it. This fast-spreading plant can damage buildings and now has legal implications if it crosses property boundaries. Always use a qualified professional to handle it — cutting it back may spread it further.

☀️ Help Tenants Keep Cool

UK homes often don’t have air conditioning, so simple steps make a big difference in a heatwave:

• Encourage tenants to close blinds or curtains during the day and open windows in the evening to release heat.

• Clean and test any ceiling fans, and check that windows open safely and securely.

Also, extreme heat can cause minor structural movement in some properties (especially older builds). If you notice any new cracks in walls or ceilings after a heatwave, assess whether they’re surface-level or need a second look from a pro.

📌 Final Word from I Am The Agent

Summer is a great opportunity to get ahead of issues before the busy autumn-winter season. By staying proactive now, you’ll avoid emergency callouts later and keep your tenants happy, safe, and cool.

Need help arranging an EPC, gas certificate, boiler service or property photos? We can organise this for you directly through your I Am The Agent portal — just log in or contact us and we’ll get the ball rolling.

Happy summer from all of us at I Am The Agent! 🌞