Landlord Compliance Checklist

Must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Provide a copy to new tenants before move-in and to existing tenants within 28 days of renewal.

Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regs 1998

Must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Provide to tenants within 28 days. Remedial work required within 28 days of report.

Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS (England) Regs 2020

No fixed legal requirement for frequency, but all electrical appliances you supply must be safe. Keep records.

Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

At least one smoke alarm on each storey used as living accommodation. Must be tested at start of each new tenancy.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regs 2015

Required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (including gas boiler) since Oct 2022. Also required in rooms with solid fuel appliances.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regs 2022

Clear, unobstructed escape routes at all times. HMOs require additional fire safety measures — contact your council.

Housing Act 2004 / HHSRS

All upholstered furniture supplied by the landlord must carry the required fire-safety label and meet flammability standards.

Furniture & Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regs 1988

EPC rating of E or above required to legally let the property. F/G-rated properties cannot be let unless an exemption applies. EPC C required by 2030 — plan upgrades now to avoid last-minute cost spikes.

Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regs 2015

Provide the EPC (or email it) before or at the time a new tenancy begins.

Energy Performance of Buildings Regs 2012

Check all adult occupants have a legal right to rent in the UK. Retain copies of documents. Use the Home Office online checker for BRP/eVisa holders. Repeat check for time-limited permission.

Immigration Act 2014 (England only)

Keep copies of all Right to Rent documents for the duration of the tenancy plus 1 year.

Immigration Act 2014

A written tenancy agreement is strongly recommended for all tenancies and protects both parties. Note: Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are abolished under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — all possession claims must now cite a statutory ground under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended).

Renters' Rights Act 2025 / Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

Must provide the current version of the government's 'How to Rent' booklet at the start of each tenancy. This remains a statutory obligation under current landlord law.

Renters' Rights Act 2025 / Deregulation Act 2015

Must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS). Prescribed information must be given to tenants within 30 days.

Housing Act 2004 (as amended)

Tenants must receive specific prescribed information about their deposit scheme within 30 days of the deposit being received.

Housing Act 2004

Mandatory HMO licence required if property has 5+ occupants from 2+ households. Some local councils require licences for smaller HMOs — check with your council.

Housing Act 2004

Many councils have introduced selective licensing for all private rentals in certain areas. Check gov.uk or your local council's website.

Housing Act 2004 (Part 3)

Councils can take enforcement action for serious hazards. Common ones: excessive cold, damp & mould, falls, fire, electrical hazards.

Housing Act 2004 / HHSRS

Landlords must keep structure, exterior, and installations for water/gas/electricity/heating/sanitation in good repair and proper working order.

Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 s.11

Landlords must assess the risk of Legionella. For most domestic lets, a simple written assessment noting low risk is sufficient — no specialist is required for basic properties.

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974