To ask what I need to do before letting flat out?

[Vvvi]

What safety checks do I need and most importantly what will it cost?

You need to register as a landlord with your local council and they should have information packs on all the compulsory checks etc. You'll definitely need a landlord gas safety certificate, mains wired smoke and heat detectors, carbon monoxide alarm, lonely an electrical safety certificate, especially if you are renting it furnished as you will need to have PAT testing done on appliances.

Likely

You need a gas safety certificate if there is gas to the property and this needs to be done every year. You will also need to get an energy report. Make sure any appliances are in good working order and check the door/window locks.

Smoke detectors also.

Plus you need to:

Get mortgage lender permission (if mortgaged)
Get landlord insurance.
Register for self assessment tax.

Thank you!

www.axa.co.uk/insurance/business/residential-landlord-insurance/complete-guide-to-becoming-a-landlord/

you need to get fully informed because a lot of the advice on here is wrong. Once you are informed you will know what advice is wrong. I can't tell you as I don't know which country you are in (makes a difference if Scotland or Wales), if it will be an HMO, if you have a solid fuel appliance, what your local letting rules are etc etc.

you need to insure contents, malicious damage, legal expenses, rent guarantee, home emergency. You need money for fixes and to cope with voids.

how will you fix when things go wrong?

is it's EPC high enough to allow rental?

Landlord's gas cert which will cost £50-70 and is annual.
You need to provide the EPC, tenants rights booklet or email (neither of which any one ever looks at).
You need a smoke detector that is either hard wired or with 10 year battery.
You need proof of their right to rent.
As the landlord you're responsible for all of that apart from the right to rent even if you have it fully managed by an agent.

Look at joining the RLA or NLA (Landlord's associations).

Going along to a property hub meet up. They're on the 1st Thursday of the month and are free. You'll find lots of people happy to give advice and no one will try to sell you anything. www.thepropertyhub.net/events/

Register as landlord with council
Check with mortgage lender
Decide on agent/get solicitor for lease etc
Think about how you're going to check references etc
Appropriate insurance
Gas safety certificate
Electrical PAT testing
Legionella testing
Smoke alarms
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Boiler/central heating landlords cover
Inventory

and still more wrong advice...

use your brain and do some research rather than be lazy and ask people on MN who may or may not have any clue wht they are talking about.

You don't have to register with the council AFAIK

Where are u in the Uk?

some areas operate landlord registration - it is a way of avoiding actually doing any enforcement.

I am also concerned at someone wanting to start a high risk business by asking for advice here.

It may be easier if you're inexperienced to go through a reputable agent who will make sure everything is in order.

I appreciate that costs but conversely you could make a very costly error winging it.