Landlord legal responsibilities: the full overview

Safety duties

• Annual gas safety checks and a valid CP12 where gas is present.
• A satisfactory EICR at least every five years.
• A valid EPC rated E or above (rising toward C in future).
• Working smoke alarms on every storey and CO alarms in combustion-appliance rooms.
• Fire safety measures appropriate to the property, especially for HMOs.

Money and fees

• Protect deposits in an approved scheme and serve prescribed information within 30 days.
• Observe the deposit cap and the ban on most tenant fees under the Tenant Fees Act.
• Use the correct statutory process for any rent increase.

Tenancy paperwork

• Provide a written tenancy agreement.
• Serve the current How to Rent guide at the start of the tenancy.
• Complete and record Right to Rent checks for all adult occupiers (England).
• Provide the EPC, gas safety certificate and EICR to the tenant.

Property standards and repairs

You must keep the structure, exterior and key installations in repair, ensure the property is fit for human habitation, meet the Decent Homes Standard, and respond to serious hazards within the Awaab's Law timescales. Tenants are entitled to quiet enjoyment, so respect notice requirements when accessing the property.

Data protection

As a landlord you handle personal data — ID documents, references, financial details. Under UK GDPR you must collect only what you need, keep it secure, use it only for legitimate purposes, and delete it when it is no longer required. Storing tenant documents securely and limiting access is both good practice and a legal duty.

Possession and the Renters' Rights Act

With Section 21 abolished, possession requires a valid Section 8 ground supported by evidence. You must also register on the Private Rented Sector Database, join the Ombudsman scheme, and follow the new rules on tenancies, rent and pets. Good record-keeping underpins all of this.

Staying on top of it all