Landlord Compliance Checklist: Everything You Need in 2026
Letting a property in the UK comes with a long list of legal obligations. Missing any single requirement can mean fines of up to £30,000, inability to evict tenants, or criminal prosecution. This checklist covers every requirement a private landlord in England needs to meet, updated for the Renters Rights Act 2026.
Safety Certificates
- • Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — Annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Must be provided to tenants within 28 days. Penalty: up to £6,000 fine or imprisonment. (Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998)
- • EICR (Electrical Safety) — Required every 5 years by a qualified electrician. Penalty: up to £30,000 fine. (Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020)
- • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Valid for 10 years. Minimum rating E required. EPC C expected by 2028. Full EPC guide. (Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012)
- • Smoke alarms — At least one on every habitable storey. Tested and working at the start of each tenancy. (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2022)
- • Carbon monoxide alarms — Required in any room with a fuel-burning appliance (gas boiler, gas fire, wood burner). (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2022)
Before Tenancy Begins
- • Deposit protection — Within 30 days in DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS. Prescribed Information must also be served. Failure blocks Section 21 and can result in 1–3x deposit penalty. Check Section 21 validity.
- • Right to Rent check — Verify all adult tenants have legal right to rent in England. Keep documents for tenancy duration plus 12 months. Penalty: up to £3,000 per tenant.
- • "How to Rent" guide — Current government version must be given at the start of each new tenancy. Without it, you cannot serve a Section 21 notice.
- • Tenancy agreement — While not strictly legally required, operating without one is extremely risky. Must be RRA-compliant from May 2026. Check your agreement.
Ongoing Obligations
- • Repairs — Keep the structure, exterior, and installations in repair. Respond to emergencies within 24 hours. (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11)
- • Rent increases — Section 13 (Form 4) only. Once per year, at least one month’s notice. Rent increase guide.
- • Certificate renewals — Gas safety annually, EICR every 5 years, EPC every 10 years. Missing a renewal blocks eviction proceedings.
Renters Rights Act 2026 Changes
From May 2026, the Renters Rights Act introduces major changes for all private landlords in England:
- • Section 21 abolished — No-fault evictions end. Use Section 8 grounds instead.
- • All tenancies periodic — No more fixed terms. Tenants can leave with 2 months’ notice at any time.
- • PRS Database registration — Mandatory for all rental properties once the database launches.
- • Safety certificates required for possession — Courts cannot grant possession orders unless all safety certificates are in order.
Read our full Renters Rights Act guide for detailed guidance on every change.
HMO Additional Requirements
Properties with 5 or more tenants forming 2 or more separate households require a mandatory HMO licence. Some councils also require additional licensing for smaller HMOs. Operating without a required licence can result in fines up to £30,000 and rent repayment orders of up to 12 months’ rent.
HMO-specific requirements include: fire doors, fire blankets, emergency lighting, adequate fire escape routes, minimum room sizes, and enhanced management standards.
Certificate Renewal Schedule
| Certificate | Renewal | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety (CP12) | Every 12 months | £60–90 |
| EICR | Every 5 years | £100–300 |
| EPC | Every 10 years | £60–120 |
| Smoke/CO alarms | Test each tenancy | £10–30 |
| Landlord insurance | Annually | £200–400 |