Resources, support and community for landlords
The Independent Landlord offers clear, comprehensive and actionable guidance for the private rented sector in England.
It’s run by me, Suzanne Smith, a portfolio landlord and former corporate solicitor.
My #1 bestselling book, The Good Landlord Handbook, published by Century from Penguin Random House, explains how to operate successfully under the Renters’ Rights Act at every stage of the tenancy cycle.
You can buy it from Amazon, Waterstones or your local bookstore.*
To ask me questions, and have access to templates and courses in a supportive community, join my membership, The Independent Landlord Hub.
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Latest on The Blog
HHSRS changes: the new 21 hazards in 2026
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System, or HHSRS, method of assessing hazards in housing was simplified on 23 June…
Landlord obligations for repairs: the law in England
The question of responsibility for repairs can often be a bone of contention between landlords and renters. The responsibility for…
PRS Landlord Ombudsman – Renters’ Rights landlord redress scheme
The Renters’ Rights Act introduces a new landlord redress scheme, to be called the PRS Landlord Ombudsman, that will, according…
PRS Database: how to register your rental property
The government announced on 9 September 2026 that it will start rolling out the PRS Database of landlords and privately…
Awaab’s Law for private landlords explained
The Renters’ Rights Act contains provisions to extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, with the detail to be…
The Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector under the Renters’ Rights Act
The Decent Homes Standard currently sets minimum standards for the condition of social homes in England. However, a revised Decent…
Renters’ Rights Act Guide: The 12 key provisions
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has fundamentally changed the way in which private landlords let properties in England, and has…
Damp and mould in rental properties: who is responsible and what to do
The tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, due to black mould in the flat his parents rented from…
Section 13 rent increase challenges: First-tier Tribunal process and cases
Following the implementation of the tenancy reforms in the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026, the only way that…
How to find tenants yourself without letting agents
Are you wondering how easy it is to find tenants yourself online, advertising your property on Rightmove and Zoopla, without…
How to manage a rental property yourself
Are you thinking of managing your rental property yourself, rather than using a letting agent? With increased costs having squeezed…
Free checklists to comply with Renters’ Rights Act
Once the Renters’ Rights Act is fully implemented, landlords will need to do lots of things differently, and the failure…
The rental discrimination rules in the Renters’ Rights Act
The Renters’ Rights Act has banned “rental discrimination”. This is a new legal concept which prevents landlords and letting agents…
Review of the Hello Neighbour online lettings platform
I stopped using high street letting agents to find tenants in 2021, after having received bad service from the local…
Letting agent terms of business: termination clauses compared
Are you a landlord who’s looking to sign up with a letting agent for full management? Or perhaps you’d like…
About Suzanne Smith
As a portfolio landlord in Kent and a former General Counsel and Company Secretary of a PLC, I bring a unique perspective to the private rented sector.
My legal career began as a solicitor in a City law firm, before moving in-house for 25 years in the life sciences industry, with 12 years at the General Counsel level.
I became a landlord in 2019 and have a direct understanding of the strategic and day-to-day challenges that landlords face.
When I was a new landlord, I’d been unable to find the content I was looking for. To fill this unmet need, I founded The Independent Landlord in August 2022.
My best-selling book, ‘The Good Landlord Handbook’, was published by Penguin Random House in 2026. It helps landlords understand how to operate successfully at every stage of the tenancy cycle under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The Independent Landlord has a distinctive voice, making complex issues clear, balanced and actionable for everyone in the private rented sector.
* As an Amazon Associate and a Waterstones affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases