DIY InventoryLetting a property in Braintree: a landlord’s guide
Licensing, certificates, deposits and the local figures for landlords letting in Braintree.
General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Always check the council’s current scheme before letting.
Landlord licensing in Braintree
- Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme is listed on the council's site; only mandatory HMO licensing applies.
- Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme is listed; mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people forming more than one household.
- Fees: For an HMO licence the council lists a £595 application fee plus a £445 issue fee for a new licence (renewal £550), 2026/27.
Separately, every large HMO (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in England. Source: Braintree District Council.
Braintree District Council: private renting and licensing
Safety certificates
- Gas Safety (CP12): every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- EICR: at least every 5 years, by a qualified electrician.
- EPC: rated E or above, valid for 10 years.
- Alarms: a smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (not gas cookers).
Book a Gas Safety certificate, EICR or EPC in Braintree at a fixed price, and keep track of expiry dates in the free landlord dashboard.
Deposits and the inventory
Protect the deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days. At the end, the scheme decides any dispute on the evidence, above all the check-in compared with the check-out, so the inventory is what protects you.
What to record in Braintree homes
- Timber-framed and listed cottages in Coggeshall and the villages: photograph beams, uneven floors, plaster cracks and any damp patches at low level.
- Crittall-style metal windows in Silver End and older homes: photograph frames, catches and any rust or condensation on the glazing.
- Rural homes off the gas network: photograph the oil tank or LPG tank, its gauge level and the boiler.
- New-build estates around Witham and Great Notley: note shared parking bays, management company bin areas and any snagging marks.
- Flats above shops in Braintree and Halstead town centres: photograph the shared entrance, stairs, door entry system and keys and fobs.
- Gardens and sheds on larger family houses: photograph fences, lawn condition and outbuildings, as these often cause check-out disputes.
Homes sold in Braintree in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached | 517 | £351,691 |
| Detached | 444 | £527,431 |
| Terraced | 403 | £290,345 |
| Flat or maisonette | 216 | £171,049 |
| Other | 60 | £765,206 |
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.
Letting in Braintree: questions
Is there selective licensing in Braintree?
No selective licensing scheme is listed on the council's site; only mandatory HMO licensing applies. Check the council’s page before letting: schemes are renewed and changed every few years.
What certificates does a landlord need in Braintree?
A Gas Safety certificate every 12 months (where there is gas), an electrical safety report (EICR) at least every 5 years, and a valid EPC rated E or above, plus working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms by fixed combustion appliances.
How long do I have to protect a deposit?
30 days from receiving it, in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits, with the prescribed information given to the tenant in the same 30 days.
Do I need an inventory as a landlord in Braintree?
It isn’t a legal requirement, but without a signed check-in record it is very hard to claim anything from the deposit at the end. With DIY Inventory you can do it yourself for £30, or send your tenant a link to do it.
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