How to check your landlord in the UK (free, official registers)
Updated July 2026 · Facts with official sources. Not legal advice.
You can learn a lot before signing anything or paying anyone. The data is public. It is official. It costs nothing. Here is where to look — starting with the address itself.
Why start with the address, not the name
A landlord’s name can be misspelled, informal or missing from the ad. The address cannot. Two official registers answer questions about the home itself: the EPC register and your council’s licence register.
The address also protects you from a common scam. Fraudsters advertise flats they do not control. A home with no EPC history and no licence trail deserves harder questions before any money moves.
The full check, step by step
- Enter the postcode in the official EPC register. Find your exact address and note the rating and expiry date.
- Search your council’s landlord licence register. Not sure which council? Use GOV.UK — find your local council.
- Search the landlord or agent name in Companies House, if a company is involved.
- Match the company number with your tenancy agreement. Names repeat; numbers do not.
- After moving in and paying a deposit, run the three deposit scheme checkers. Our deposit guide lists them with steps.
- Save screenshots with dates. Facts with dates settle arguments later.
1. The EPC: energy certificate by postcode
Every rented home in England and Wales needs a valid Energy Performance Certificate. The minimum rating for renting out is E. Certificates are valid for ten years and live in the public register.
A rating of F or G, or no certificate at all, may breach the minimum energy standard (MEES). That is a fact worth raising politely — before you sign.
2. Council licences: HMO and selective areas
Houses shared by 5+ people from 2+ households need an HMO licence. Some councils license smaller shared homes too, or every rental in “selective” areas. Our licence guide explains the three types.
Why it matters: renting out an unlicensed home that needed a licence is an offence. Since the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants can claim back up to 24 months of rent through a tribunal.
3. The company: Companies House
Many landlords and letting agents operate as companies. Every UK company is listed in Companies House — free. Check three things. Is the company active, not dissolved? How long has it existed? Who are the directors?
4. The deposit: three schemes, 30 days
In England and Wales your deposit must go into a government-approved scheme within 30 days. Only three exist: DPS, TDS and mydeposits. Each has a free public checker; the rules are on GOV.UK.
Not found anywhere? A court can award 1 to 3 times the deposit in compensation. The full route is in our step-by-step deposit guide.
Or do it in 30 seconds
Rent Radar reads these registers for you, live: EPC by address, the Leeds licence register, Companies House. Enter a postcode — get facts with dates and source links. Free, anonymous, no sign-up.
FAQ
Is it legal to check my landlord in the UK?
Yes. Companies House, the EPC register, council licence registers and deposit scheme checkers are public by law. They exist so people can consult them.
Will my landlord know that I checked?
No. Public registers do not notify anyone about searches. Reading them is anonymous, like reading a library book.
What if my landlord is a private person, not a company?
That is completely normal — most UK landlords are individuals. The address checks still work: EPC, council licence and deposit protection do not depend on a company.
What does “not found” in a register mean?
It means one thing: the search found no entry in that register on that date. It is a fact to ask about, not a verdict against anyone.
Every result shows the register and the date. For action, use GOV.UK, Shelter or Citizens Advice.
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