The landlord compliance checklist for 2026 (England)

Renting out a home in England now comes with a long list of legal duties, and the list grew again in 2026 when the main provisions of the Renters' Rights Act came into force. Miss one and the consequences range from a civil penalty to being unable to evict a tenant who has stopped paying. This is the working checklist, grouped by when the duty applies.

Before the tenant moves in

Right to Rent. You must check that every adult who will live in the property has the right to rent in the UK, and keep a record of the check. This applies to English properties only.

Energy Performance Certificate. The property needs a valid EPC, and you must give the tenant a copy before they move in. The certificate lasts ten years. The minimum rating is currently E, though that is changing later this decade (see the energy efficiency article for the 2030 move to a C rating).

Gas safety record. If there are any gas appliances, a Gas Safe registered engineer must inspect them every year. The tenant gets a copy of the record before they move in, and within 28 days of each subsequent check.

Electrical inspection. A qualified person must inspect the fixed wiring at least every five years and issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report. The tenant gets a copy before they move in.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. There must be a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance such as a gas boiler or a log burner. You must check they work at the start of the tenancy.

How to Rent guide. Give the tenant the current government How to Rent guide. If you have not served the latest version, your ability to use certain possession routes can be affected.

Written statement of terms. Since the Renters' Rights Act, tenancies are periodic from the start, and you must give the tenant a written statement of the tenancy terms before it begins.

Handling the money

Deposit protection. If you take a deposit, protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and give the tenant the prescribed information. The deposit is capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks above that.

Rent in advance and bidding. For tenancies under the new rules, you cannot ask for large amounts of rent in advance, and you cannot invite tenants to bid the rent up above the advertised figure.

Banned fees. The Tenant Fees Act still applies. You cannot charge for referencing, inventories, renewals or most admin. The list of permitted payments is short and specific.

During the tenancy

Repairs and fitness. You are responsible for the structure, exterior, and the installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation. The property must be fit for human habitation throughout, not just at the start.

Rent increases. Under the new rules you increase the rent using the statutory Section 13 process and the prescribed form, no more than once a year, and the tenant can challenge an above-market increase at the First-tier Tribunal.

Inspections and access. You can inspect the property, but you must give at least 24 hours' written notice and go at a reasonable time, unless it is an emergency.

Ongoing safety. Keep the gas record and the electrical report current, and keep the alarms working. These are not one-off tasks.

Ending the tenancy

No more Section 21. The no-fault Section 21 route was abolished from 1 May 2026. To regain possession you now need to rely on a ground under Section 8, such as rent arrears, sale of the property, or wanting to move a family member in, and serve the correct notice with the correct notice period.

Deposit return. At the end, agree deductions with the tenant or use the scheme's dispute service. Return what is owed promptly.

Registration and redress, coming into force

Two newer duties are being rolled out under the Act and are worth preparing for now. The Private Rented Sector Database will require landlords to register themselves and each property, with the rollout running through 2026 and 2027. A landlord ombudsman scheme, giving tenants a route to redress without going to court, is expected to become mandatory from 2028.

Licensing

Some properties need a licence regardless of everything above. A large house in multiple occupation needs a mandatory licence, and many councils run additional or selective licensing schemes covering other properties in their area. Check your local authority's rules, because operating an unlicensed property that needs a licence is an offence.

Print this list, put a date against each item for your properties, and diarise the renewals. Most landlord penalties come not from ignoring the law but from losing track of a date.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and they change. Check the current position or take professional advice before acting.