Landlord costs beyond the agent's fee
The agent's fee isn't the only cost of letting a property. These are the checks, certificates and cover most landlords in England need. Prices are typical UK ranges for 2026, and North East prices are often at the lower end.
| What | How often | Typical cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) | Every 10 years | About £45 to £120 | Needed before you market the property. It must currently be rated E or above to let. Check any property on the government's EPC register. |
| Gas safety certificate (CP12) | Every year | About £60 to £120 | Only if there are gas appliances. A Gas Safe registered engineer checks them, and tenants get a copy. |
| Electrical check (EICR) | Every 5 years | About £120 to £300 | A qualified electrician inspects the wiring. Larger homes cost more, and any repairs are extra. |
| Legionella risk assessment | Review regularly | About £50 to £150 | Landlords must assess the risk. Many do it themselves; some pay for a professional assessment. |
| Deposit protection | Each new deposit | Free to a few pounds | The deposit must be protected in a government approved scheme within 30 days, and the tenant given the scheme details. |
| Inventory and check out | Each new tenancy | About £100 to £600 | Not a legal requirement, but it's your best evidence if there's a deposit dispute. Some agents include it in full management. |
| Landlord insurance | Every year | Varies by property | Standard home insurance usually doesn't cover a let property. Compare cover for buildings, liability and loss of rent. |
Does your agent arrange these?
Many fully managed agents will book the gas safety check, EICR and EPC for you, but they usually pass on the cost, sometimes with an arranging fee or commission on top. It's worth asking whether you can book them yourself, and checking each agent's fee page on this site for "compliance" or "arranging" charges.
Where to check
- EPCs: the government's Find an energy certificate service.
- Gas engineers: the Gas Safe Register.
- Deposit schemes: the Deposit Protection Service, Tenancy Deposit Scheme and mydeposits are the approved schemes in England.
Prices are typical ranges, not quotes. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current requirements.
Fees change. Always check the agent's own fee page before you sign.