UK Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026

What you must do

• Arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• The check must cover all gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the property
• Give a copy of the gas safety record to existing tenants within 28 days of the check
• Give a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Keep records of each safety check for at least 2 years

Key deadlines

The 12-month deadline is absolute — there is no grace period. However, if you arrange the check within the last 2 months before expiry, the new certificate dates from the old expiry date, so you do not lose time by booking early.

What happens if you don't comply

Each property without a valid certificate is a separate offence. Councils can issue civil penalties of up to £6,000 per property. Criminal prosecution can lead to 6 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Tenants can apply for rent repayment orders of up to 24 months' rent under the Renters' Rights Act. Most Section 8 possession grounds are blocked while the certificate is invalid or has not been provided. Most landlord insurance policies are voided if a gas incident occurs without a valid CP12.

How to comply

Find a Gas Safe registered engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Book the check at least 2 months before the current certificate expires to use the flexibility window. Keep digital and physical copies of every certificate.

What you must do

• Have the fixed electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified electrician
• Obtain a report before the tenancy begins, or within the first year for existing tenancies
• Provide a copy to tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to your local authority within 7 days if requested
• Complete any remedial work for C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) faults within 28 days, or whatever shorter period the report specifies
• Supply written confirmation of completed remedial work to tenants and the local authority within 28 days of completion

Key deadlines

The EICR must be renewed every 5 years, or sooner if the report recommends it. The 28-day remedial deadline for C1/C2 faults starts from the date of the report — not from when you receive it. This catches many landlords off guard.

What happens if you don't comply

The local authority can issue a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act). Each failure is a separate breach — not obtaining the EICR, not completing remedial work, and not providing copies to tenants are all separate offences. The council can also arrange remedial work themselves and charge you for the cost.

How to comply

Use an electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme (such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA). Book well in advance — if C1/C2 faults are found, you need time to arrange repairs within the 28-day window.

What you must do

• Obtain a valid EPC before marketing the property to let
• Ensure the property has a minimum EPC rating of E (ratings F and G cannot legally be let unless a valid exemption is registered)
• Provide the EPC to prospective tenants as early as possible, and at the latest before a tenancy is entered into
• Display the EPC rating in any property advertisement
• If your property is rated F or G, register an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register if you believe you qualify — exemptions last 5 years

Key deadlines

EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The minimum E rating applies at the start of a new tenancy and on renewal. The government confirmed in January 2026 (under the Warm Homes Plan) that the minimum rises to EPC C for all tenancies by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap per property — landlords with D or E rated properties should plan improvements now, before assessor and installer capacity tightens.

What happens if you don't comply

Letting without a valid EPC carries a penalty of up to £5,000. Breaching the minimum energy efficiency standard carries penalties calculated by duration: up to £2,000 for less than 3 months in breach, up to £4,000 for 3 months or more, plus up to £1,000 for failing to register an exemption or providing false information. The local authority can also publish your details on a public register of non-compliant landlords.

How to comply

Find an accredited domestic energy assessor through the EPC Register. If your property is rated F or G, get quotes for improvement works (insulation, boiler upgrades, double glazing) before deciding whether to invest or register an exemption.

What you must do

• Assess the risk of legionella bacteria in the property's water system
• Identify and manage any risks found — this may include flushing low-use outlets, setting hot water to 60°C at the cylinder, and descaling showerheads
• Keep a written record of the assessment and any actions taken
• Review the assessment regularly — at least every 2 years, or when the water system changes

Key deadlines

There is no fixed legal deadline for frequency, but the HSE recommends reassessment every 2 years. For most standard rental properties with mains-fed water and a combi boiler, the risk is low and the assessment is straightforward.

What happens if you don't comply

If a tenant contracts Legionnaires' disease and you cannot demonstrate you assessed and managed the risk, you face prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Penalties include up to 2 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. Civil claims from affected tenants can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

How to comply

For most standard properties, you can carry out a basic assessment yourself using the HSE's guidance document (HSG274 Part 2). For properties with complex water systems, storage tanks, or multiple outlets, use a specialist legionella risk assessor. The assessment typically costs £50–£150.

What you must do

• Install at least one smoke alarm on every storey that has a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance — this includes gas boilers, gas fires, wood-burning stoves, and oil-fired appliances (gas cookers are excluded)
• Ensure all alarms are in working order on the day a new tenant moves in
• Test alarms on the day the tenancy begins, or ensure the tenant knows to test them

Key deadlines

Alarms must be working at the start of each tenancy. The 2022 amendment extended the carbon monoxide alarm requirement to all rooms with fixed combustion appliances — not just those with solid fuel appliances as before. During the tenancy, the responsibility for testing shifts to the tenant, but the landlord must ensure they are working at the start.

What happens if you don't comply

The local authority will serve a remedial notice requiring you to install the alarms within 28 days. If you do not comply with the notice, the penalty is up to £5,000. The local authority can also arrange the installation themselves and charge you.

How to comply

Install BS EN 14604 compliant smoke alarms and BS EN 50291 compliant carbon monoxide alarms. Battery-operated alarms are acceptable, but sealed long-life lithium battery or hard-wired alarms are more reliable. Test on the day each tenancy starts and keep a record.

What you must do

• Verify the identity and immigration status of every tenant and occupier aged 18 or over before the tenancy starts
• Check original documents in the tenant's presence (passport, biometric residence card, etc.) or use the Home Office online checking service
• Keep clear copies of documents — including the date you made the check — for the duration of the tenancy and for one year after it ends
• Carry out follow-up checks for tenants with time-limited right to rent before their permission expires
• You cannot discriminate — you must carry out checks on all prospective tenants equally

Key deadlines

The initial check must be completed no more than 28 days before the tenancy starts. Follow-up checks for time-limited right to rent must be completed before the current permission expires. Missing a follow-up check means you lose your statutory excuse.

What happens if you don't comply

Civil penalties are per tenant, not per property: up to £10,000 per tenant for a first offence, up to £20,000 for a repeat offence. If you knowingly let to someone without the right to rent, you face up to 5 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Carrying out checks correctly gives you a 'statutory excuse' — even if the tenant's status later changes, you are protected.

How to comply

Use the Home Office's Right to Rent checklist and online checking service. Check original documents, make dated copies, and store securely. Set a reminder for follow-up checks on anyone with time-limited permission. The Home Office landlord helpline (0300 790 6268) can answer specific queries.

What you must do

• Protect the deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it
• Provide the tenant with the scheme's prescribed information within 30 days — including the scheme name, contact details, your contact details, and the tenant's rights
• Use one of the three approved schemes: Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, or Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
• Return the deposit at the end of the tenancy according to the scheme's dispute resolution process if there is a disagreement

Key deadlines

You have exactly 30 days from receiving the deposit to both protect it in a scheme and serve the prescribed information. The 30-day clock starts when you (or your agent) receive the money — not when the tenancy starts. This applies even if the deposit is paid before the tenancy agreement is signed.

What happens if you don't comply

A tenant can apply to the county court, which must order you to pay between 1x and 3x the deposit amount as a penalty. Most Section 8 possession grounds are unavailable while the deposit is unprotected or prescribed information has not been served. If you never protected the deposit, you must return it in full before relying on most possession grounds. These rules apply even after the tenancy ends.

How to comply

Choose one of the three government-approved schemes. The DPS offers a free custodial option where they hold the deposit. MyDeposits and TDS offer both custodial and insurance-based options. Protect the deposit and serve prescribed information as soon as you receive the money — do not wait until near the 30-day deadline.

What you must do

• Provide every new tenant with the latest version of the government's "How to Rent" checklist before the tenancy begins or on the day it starts
• Provide it again whenever the guide is updated (if using paper copies) — if you emailed a link to the latest online version, this is automatically satisfied
• Keep proof that you provided it — email delivery with timestamp is the simplest method

Key deadlines

Must be provided at or before the start of each new tenancy. With the move to periodic assured tenancies on 1 May 2026, provide it at the start of every new let and re-issue if the government publishes an updated version.

What happens if you don't comply

The Renters' Rights Act has restructured the consequences that previously attached to this duty (Section 21 having been abolished). The guide remains the standard tenant-information document expected by tenants, courts, and councils. The safest position is to continue serving it on every new tenancy and keep proof of delivery.

How to comply

Download the latest version from GOV.UK (search "How to Rent") and email it to your tenant before the tenancy starts. Keep the email as proof. Using email with a link to the online version is the safest approach, as the link always points to the current version.

What you must do

• Determine whether your property qualifies as an HMO — broadly, a property is an HMO if 3 or more tenants from 2 or more separate households share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet
• If mandatory licensing applies (5+ tenants, 2+ households), apply for a licence from your local council before letting the property
• Check whether your council operates an additional licensing scheme covering smaller HMOs — around 100 councils currently have these
• Comply with all licence conditions — these typically cover fire safety, room sizes, amenity standards, and maximum occupancy
• Display the licence number where required and ensure the property meets all conditions throughout the licence period

Key deadlines

You must have a licence (or a pending application) before letting the property as an HMO. Licences typically last 5 years. Apply for renewal well before expiry — processing times vary by council, but 2-3 months is common.

What happens if you don't comply

Operating an HMO without a licence carries a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act), or criminal prosecution with an unlimited fine. Tenants can apply for rent repayment orders of up to 24 months' rent under the Renters' Rights Act — and the tribunal must make an order if you have been convicted. Most Section 8 possession grounds are unavailable for an unlicensed HMO. Repeat offenders can be subject to banning orders preventing involvement in lettings for up to five years.

How to comply

Contact your local council's private housing team to check licensing requirements in your area. Scheme requirements vary significantly between councils. Apply early, as processing can take months. Budget for any property improvements needed to meet licence conditions (fire doors, room sizes, etc.).

What you must do

• Check whether your property falls within a selective licensing area — these are designated by individual councils and can cover entire boroughs or specific wards
• If your property is in a designated area, apply for a selective licence before letting it
• Comply with all licence conditions throughout the licence period
• Renew the licence before it expires — selective licensing designations are typically reviewed every 5 years

Key deadlines

You must hold a licence (or have a pending application) before letting a property in a designated area. When a new scheme is introduced, councils typically give a lead-in period of a few months for landlords to apply. Schemes change regularly — a property that did not need a licence last year may need one now.

What happens if you don't comply

The penalties mirror HMO licensing: up to £40,000 civil penalty (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026) or unlimited fine on prosecution, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months' rent under the Renters' Rights Act, and most Section 8 possession grounds are unavailable while unlicensed. Councils are not required to personally notify you — they publish a notice and expect landlords to apply.

How to comply

Search your council's website for 'selective licensing' or contact their private housing team. Some councils maintain a public register of licensed properties. If you own properties across multiple council areas, check each one separately.

What you must do

• Carry out a fire risk assessment for all common parts of the property
• Ensure fire doors are fitted and self-closing where required
• Maintain fire detection and alarm systems appropriate to the property
• Ensure escape routes are clear and adequately lit
• Keep a written record of the fire risk assessment and review it regularly
• Carry out any remedial actions identified in the assessment

Key deadlines

There is no fixed renewal period — the assessment must be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to the property or its use. For HMOs, the fire risk assessment is typically a condition of the HMO licence and will be checked during inspections.

What happens if you don't comply

Failure to carry out a fire risk assessment: up to £5,000 on summary conviction, or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment. Failure to comply with fire safety requirements: unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment. The fire service can issue a prohibition notice preventing use of the building — ignoring this carries an unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment.

How to comply

For smaller HMOs, you may be able to carry out the assessment yourself using government guidance. For larger or more complex properties, use a qualified fire risk assessor. Ensure fire doors, alarms, extinguishers, and escape routes meet the standards set out in the LACORS Housing Fire Safety guide.

What you must do

• Nothing yet — there is currently no registration duty. The database did not launch with the 1 May 2026 tenancy reforms; it follows in a later phase
• Once mandatory, register every let property on the Private Rented Sector Database before marketing or letting it
• Prepare now by keeping the documents the database is expected to reference — gas safety, EICR, EPC, smoke and CO alarm evidence, and any HMO or selective licence — current and in one place
• Expect to update the registration when certificates renew so the record stays current
• Watch for your region in the phased rollout — registration is expected to open regionally from late 2026 before becoming mandatory nationally

Key deadlines

There is no registration deadline today. A phased regional rollout is expected from late 2026, with registration expected to become mandatory around 2027. Once the duty bites, registration will be required before a property can be marketed, and an unregistered landlord will be unable to obtain a possession order except on the anti-social behaviour grounds.

What happens if you don't comply

Nothing today — the duty is not yet in force. Once registration is mandatory, penalties are tiered: civil penalties up to £7,000 for an initial breach, rising to up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution for serious or repeated breaches, in addition to the property being unmarketable and most possession routes being unavailable. Letting agents acting in the course of business will be jointly exposed and can be fined directly.

How to comply

Prepare now rather than scramble later: pre-stage every document the registration is expected to require — gas safety, EICR, EPC, alarm evidence, licences — in one place, kept in date. When registration opens for your region, submit properties whose documents are current and store the registration reference on the property file alongside the certificates that justify it.

What you must do

• Nothing yet — the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman does not exist yet, so there is nothing to join today
• Once the scheme launches, join as a landlord and renew the membership before it lapses
• Prepare now by operating a written complaints process with response timescales — the scheme will expect complaints to flow through one
• Expect to display the membership reference on tenancy paperwork and alongside the PRS Database registration
• Once enrolled, comply with any Ombudsman determinations issued against you

Key deadlines

There is no membership deadline today — the scheme is expected to launch around 2028, after the PRS Database rollout. Once membership becomes compulsory, letting while unenrolled will carry penalties, so join promptly when the scheme opens.

What happens if you don't comply

Nothing today — there is no scheme to join. Once membership is compulsory, letting while unenrolled is expected to carry civil penalties of up to £40,000, and the Ombudsman will be able to make binding determinations including refunds, compensation, and remedial action orders. A complaints trail you cannot evidence will be the weak point — start keeping one now.

How to comply

Put a written complaints policy in place now and keep a dated record of complaints and responses — that is the groundwork the scheme will sit on. Join as soon as membership opens and store the reference on every property file. Existing letting agent redress scheme membership (TPO or PRS) is separate — agents will need both for their own activity.