The complete UK landlord compliance checklist for 2026

Why compliance matters more than ever

Letting a property in England is no longer a matter of finding a tenant and collecting rent. A modern landlord is, in legal terms, responsible for the health, safety and energy performance of someone's home — and the consequences of getting it wrong have grown sharply. Missed safety certificates can invalidate a possession claim, expose you to criminal prosecution, and void your insurance.

The Renters' Rights Act has reshaped the landscape by abolishing 'no-fault' Section 21 evictions and moving every tenancy to a periodic structure. That makes ongoing compliance the foundation of your ability to manage, regain or sell a property. This checklist walks through every requirement in the order you should tackle it.

Before you let: the documents you must have

• A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated E or above, less than 10 years old.
• A current Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) if there are any gas appliances, flues or pipework.
• A satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), no more than 5 years old.
• Working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance.
• Completed Right to Rent immigration checks for every adult who will occupy the property.
• The current 'How to Rent' guide, served to the tenant at the start of the tenancy.
• A property licence if the home falls within a selective, additional or mandatory HMO licensing area.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

You cannot legally market or let a property without a valid EPC, and under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) the rating must currently be E or above. EPCs last 10 years. Government proposals would raise the minimum rating to C for new tenancies later this decade, so factor improvement works into your planning now.

Read the full guide: EPC Compliance.

Gas safety

Every gas appliance, flue and pipe must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The resulting CP12 certificate must be given to existing tenants within 28 days of the check and to new tenants before they move in. There is no upper limit on the fine for non-compliance, and serious breaches can lead to prosecution.

Electrical safety (EICR)

Private rented homes must have a satisfactory EICR carried out at least every five years by a qualified electrician. Any C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) findings must be remedied within 28 days, with written confirmation supplied to the tenant and, on request, the local authority.

Deposit protection

If you take a deposit it must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS or MyDeposits) within 30 days, and the prescribed information served on the tenant within the same window. Failure exposes you to a penalty of one to three times the deposit and can block possession proceedings.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

• At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
• A carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers in England, though fitting one is best practice).
• All alarms must be tested and confirmed working on the first day of a new tenancy.

Right to Rent

In England you must check that every adult occupier has the legal right to rent in the UK before the tenancy begins, using original documents, a share code, or the Home Office online service. Where a person has a time-limited right, a follow-up check is required. Checks must be applied consistently to avoid unlawful discrimination.

How to Rent guide and tenancy paperwork

Serve the latest 'How to Rent' guide at the start of every tenancy (and re-serve when an updated version is published if you later need possession). Provide a written tenancy agreement and, where applicable, an inventory and schedule of condition to support any future deposit deductions.

Licensing

Larger and shared properties often need a licence. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to houses occupied by five or more people forming two or more households. Many councils also operate selective or additional licensing covering ordinary lets — always check the rules for the specific local authority.

Renters' Rights Act changes

• Section 21 'no-fault' evictions abolished — possession now requires a valid ground under Section 8.
• All assured tenancies become periodic; fixed terms are phased out.
• Rent increases limited to once per year via a prescribed notice, challengeable at tribunal.
• A Decent Homes Standard and 'Awaab's Law' response timescales extended to the private sector.
• A new Private Rented Sector Database and Ombudsman that landlords must join.

See the dedicated Renters' Rights Act hub for the full detail.

What happens if you get it wrong?

Your downloadable compliance checklist

1. 1Confirm a valid EPC (E or above) is in place.
2. 2Book the annual gas safety check and serve the CP12.
3. 3Confirm a satisfactory EICR within the last five years.
4. 4Protect the deposit and serve prescribed information within 30 days.
5. 5Test smoke and CO alarms on day one of the tenancy.
6. 6Complete and record Right to Rent checks for all adults.
7. 7Serve the latest How to Rent guide and a written agreement.
8. 8Check whether the property needs a licence and apply if so.
9. 9Set reminders for every renewal date — or let DR Rent track them for you.