How to rent my property out?

Hello, I’m new to the forum and I’ve been looking through posts and I can see there is a wealth of experience here so excuse the probably basic questions. I am looking to move in with a relative, and thinking of letting my house out long term. (I have issues with stairs and not getting easier).

I have spoken to an agent about this and understand that I will have to have a gas check and electric check etc completed beforehand which is not a problem for me.

What I am interested in finding out though is what exactly the legal ‘standard’ has to be to rent my property out.

I am totally confused about how to determine what is required exactly.

It is not a new house but it is well-maintained and recently decorated. The property will be unfurnished so the tenant can have all their own furniture put in (tastes are always different, I understand that) but I am confused about what work I may have to carry out to make it ‘legally rentable’.

It will hopefully be rented to a working family as it’s a four-bed and close to schools/town. The estate agent has also said that it will be in an area of selective licensing due to its postcode. The council website says £700 for five years but gives no further detail (Birmingham Council).

The agent says I will have to apply for the licence but again says he has no idea what the detail is and what this means in practice. He seems to suggest it is just a cash-generating exercise for the council. I suppose I will have to try and call the council to find out more.

All I want to know is what the property needs to have exactly in place to tick all the legal boxes before I go down the rental route.

I wonder if the licence money is for paying the council to check that all the legal boxes have been ticked?

If this is the case I need to see what the criteria is that they will be checking against so I can determine if I need to do things now before I rent it out.

Thank you,

Peter