Landlord compliance checklist
A plain-English summary of the main legal requirements for private landlords letting residential property in England. This is not exhaustive — additional obligations may apply depending on property type, location, and tenancy arrangements.
Licensing
Check if your property needs a licence
Use our postcode checker to find out if selective licensing, additional HMO licensing, or mandatory HMO licensing applies to your property.
Apply for and maintain any required licence
If a licence is required, apply through your council. Licences typically last up to 5 years. Operating without one can lead to fines of up to £30,000 and Rent Repayment Orders.
Gas safety
Annual gas safety check (CP12)
If the property has gas appliances, you must have a Gas Safe registered engineer carry out an annual safety check and provide the tenant with a copy of the certificate within 28 days.
Electrical safety
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Since July 2020 (for new tenancies) and April 2021 (for existing tenancies), all private rented properties in England must have a valid EICR. The report must be satisfactory or any required remedial works completed within 28 days.
Energy efficiency
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
You need a valid EPC before marketing or renting a property. The property must meet the minimum energy efficiency standard — currently Band E. The government has proposed raising this to Band C, though timelines have shifted.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Smoke alarms on every floor
Since October 2015, you must install at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation. Since October 2022, these must be repaired or replaced if reported as faulty.
Carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances
Since October 2022, a carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). This includes rooms with gas boilers, wood-burning stoves, and open fires.
Deposit protection
Protect the deposit in a government-backed scheme
If you take a tenancy deposit, you must protect it in one of the three government-backed schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) within 30 days of receiving it. You must also serve the prescribed information on the tenant.
Right to Rent
Check tenants’ right to rent
Before granting a tenancy, you must verify that all adult occupants have the right to rent in England by checking acceptable identity documents or using the Home Office online service.
How to Let / Tenant information
Provide the ‘How to Rent’ guide
You must give tenants the current version of the government’s ‘How to Rent’ checklist at the start of a new tenancy. This is a requirement for serving a valid Section 21 notice.
Property standards
Ensure the property is fit for habitation
Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, rented properties must be fit for habitation throughout the tenancy. This covers damp, ventilation, heating, water supply, drainage, and structural safety.