Landlord compliance: a safety checklist for landlords (England)
With over 160 pieces of legislation placing obligations on landlords, keeping track of your compliance responsibilities can be daunting. This guide brings together the key safety and legal checks you need to stay on the right side of the law, with links to in-depth resources for every requirement.
What does landlord compliance involve?
Landlord compliance covers the legal, safety and administrative duties you must meet before, during and at the end of a tenancy. This includes:
- obtaining valid safety certificates,
- protecting deposits,
- meeting property condition standards, and
- fulfilling documentation obligations.
Getting any of these wrong can lead to financial penalties, or in some cases a criminal prosecution.
Your definitive checklist for landlord safety and compliance
Tenancy Agreement Checks
Written Statement Requirements
Since 1 May 2026, the Renter's Rights Act imposes a new duty on landlords to provide a written statement of key tenancy terms and obligations to their tenants before an assured tenancy is entered into (i.e., signed by all parties).
This written statement must include the mandatory information and statements required by the Government; failure to do so may result in you being fined up to £7,000.
Safety certificates
Gas safety
You must have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer on all gas fittings and flues for your property. You will receive a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) which must be given to tenants before they move in and within 28 days of each annual check. Failure to comply is a criminal offence with fines of up to £6,000 or six months’ imprisonment. See our gas safety guide for more details.
Fire safety
If you provide furnished accommodation, furniture must carry fire-resistance labelling. For properties let by the room or with communal areas, a fire risk assessment is legally required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, although we advise to have one carried out for all properties as best practice. Explore our fire safety overview here.
Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms
Since 1st October 2022, landlords must fit smoke alarms on each storey with living accommodation and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fuel-burning appliances (excluding gas cookers). Mains-wired interconnected systems are strongly recommended. See the full alarm requirements.
Electrical safety
Electrical installations must be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person, producing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). You must provide the EICR to tenants before they move in and address any urgent remedial work within 28 days. A change of tenancy does not invalidate a current EICR. Our electrical safety guide looks at this topic in more detail.
Deposit protection
If you take a deposit for an assured tenancy, you must protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt and serve the prescribed information within the same window. The penalties for non-compliance is a fine between one to three times the deposit amount per tenancy. It will normally prevent you from serving a valid possession notice until the deposit is protected late or returned. See our deposit protection guide for a full breakdown.
Property and structural safety checks
Your property must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and maintained throughout. Key areas to address include:
- damp and mould,
- adequate ventilation and heating,
- secure locks
- well-maintained gutters, drains and external pipes.
Local authorities assess conditions using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which identifies 29 potential hazards. See our HHSRS guidance.
As per government guidance, tenants should not be blamed for damp and mould being present at the property. Landlords should seek to address the structural causes of damp and mould, such as by adding extractor fans.
Move-in day checks
Before your tenants move in, you should:
- Provide a valid Gas Safety Certificate,
- Electrical Installation Condition Report,
- EPC rated E or above,
- Confirmation of working smoke and CO alarms,
- Proof of deposit protection and service of prescribed information.
- Carry out a detailed inventory and schedule of condition
- Test all appliances, heating and hot water.
You may want to Use our starting a tenancy checklist. to help with this
Documentation and legal checks
Legionella risk assessment
You must assess and control the risk of Legionella bacteria in your property. Most properties are low risk, but an assessment is still required. You should review it at least every two years. Some simple control measures include flushing the water system through on hot for at least two minutes before letting, storing hot water at 60°C, and removing redundant pipework. You can Access our Legionella guidance here.
Right to rent checks
You are required to verify that every prospective occupier aged 18 or over has the right to rent in the UK. There are several ways to perform a check but most landlords will want to see a passport, the original document and not a copy., Retain copies of the document throughout the tenancy and for one year after the tenant leaves. Landlords can face imprisonment for non-compliance. See our right to rent guide for more details and other methods of performing the checks.
Licensing
Properties housing five or more people from two or more households require a mandatory HMO licence. Your local authority may also operate additional licensing schemes, where smaller HMO properties of 3 or 4 people require a licence or selective licensing schemes, where any property in the designated area could require a licence. Operating without a required licence can lead to civil penalties of up to £30,000 and rent repayment orders. Check our HMO licensing guide or our selective licensing guide.
Landlord insurance
Standard home insurance does not cover rental properties. It is a good idea to arrange specific landlord cover for the building, contents and public liability. Consider rent guarantee insurance, particularly as the Renters’ Rights Act may increase the likelihood of void periods as tenants can serve two months’ notice at any point on and after the move in day.
Energy performance certificate (EPC)
You must have a valid EPC before marketing your property. Properties must currently achieve at least an E rating under Minimum Energy Effiency Standards (MEES), rising to a C rating for new tenancies by 2030. The EPC methodology was updated in June 2025 and is subject to further, more fundamental change over the coming years. Read our EPC guide for the full details.
Routine and maintenance checks
Mid-tenancy inspections
Schedule regular inspections with at least 24 hours’ written notice to identify maintenance issues, test alarms and gather evidence for deposit claims if there has been any damage.
Plumbing checks
Regularly inspect plumbing for leaks, check water pressure and maintain sanitary fittings. Unresolved plumbing issues can cause damp, mould and structural damage. See our property maintenance resources.
Enforcement
Local authorities can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per offence. Specific penalties include up to £6,000 or imprisonment for gas safety failures, deposit penalties of one to three times the amount, and rent repayment orders of up to 12 months’ rent. Non-compliance can also prevent you from serving a valid possession notice.
What are the upcoming changes to landlord compliance?
The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force from 1st May 2026, abolishing fixed-term ASTs and Section 21 notices. Later in 2026, landlords must register with the Private Rented Sector Database. Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard will follow, alongside EPC minimum C requirements by 2030. Visit our Renters’ Rights hub for the latest updates.
How to stay informed on staying compliant
The regulatory landscape is shifting rapidly. We provides expert guidance, compliance checklists, templates and a personalised Renters’ Rights Navigator tool to help you prepare.
How we can help you manage your rental property
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Landlord compliance and safety FAQs
What are the key compliance checks for landlords?
Key checks include an annual gas safety inspection (CP12), an EICR every five years, working smoke and CO alarms, a valid EPC rated A–E, deposit protection, a Legionella risk assessment, right to rent checks, and ensuring fitness for human habitation.
Do you need an EICR every five years or at change of tenancy?
The regulations require inspections at intervals of no more than five years. A change of tenancy does not invalidate a current EICR; the report remains valid for the period specified.
What landlord compliance checks should be carried out pre-tenancy?
Obtain or renew your Gas Safety Certificate, EICR and EPC if needed. Fit and test alarms. Complete a Legionella risk assessment. Carry out right to rent checks. Prepare an inventory. Arrange landlord insurance. Ensure the property is fit for habitation and check licensing requirements.
What landlord compliance checks should be carried out mid-tenancy?
Schedule regular inspections with at least 24 hours’ notice. Renew the Gas Safety Certificate annually. Address repairs promptly, particularly damp and mould. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly and make sure fire escape routes are kept clear. Review the Legionella assessment every two years. Ensure your EICR and EPC remain valid.
What landlord compliance checks should be carried out at the end of a tenancy?
Conduct a check-out inspection against the inventory. Agree deposit deductions and return the balance through the scheme. Change locks. Complete repairs before reletting. Ensure all certificates are current.