UK Landlord Compliance Guide 2026

Staying compliant as a UK landlord has never been more demanding. With the Renters’ Rights Act now in force, the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, and tightening energy efficiency standards, 2026 is a landmark year for the private rented sector.

This guide covers every statutory obligation you need to meet — and explains exactly how to stay on top of them without drowning in paperwork.

1. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Frequency: Annual
Legislation: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Every rental property with gas appliances must have a valid Gas Safety Certificate, also known as a CP12. The certificate must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Key obligations

Arrange an annual inspection of all gas appliances, flues, and pipework
Provide tenants with a copy of the certificate within 28 days of the check
Provide the certificate to new tenants before they move in
Keep records for at least two years

Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £6,000 fine and/or six months’ imprisonment.

2. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Frequency: Every five years (or on change of tenancy)
Legislation: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

An EICR assesses the condition of the fixed electrical installation in your property. It must be carried out by a qualified and competent person.

Key obligations

Commission an EICR at least every five years
Provide a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
Carry out any remedial work within 28 days (or any shorter period specified in the report)
Provide written confirmation to the local authority on request

Penalty for non-compliance: Civil penalty of up to £30,000.

3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Current minimum: EPC rating E
Proposed 2028 minimum: EPC rating C (for new tenancies)

An EPC rates your property’s energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Since 2018, rental properties in England and Wales must have a minimum EPC rating of E.

What’s changing in 2028

The government’s proposed rules would require all new tenancies from 2028 to meet a minimum EPC rating of C, with existing tenancies following by 2030. While these proposals are still subject to legislative confirmation, prudent landlords should begin planning improvement works now.

Common improvements to raise your EPC rating

Cavity wall and loft insulation
Double or triple glazing
A-rated boiler replacement
Solar panels and heat pumps
LED lighting throughout

4. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Frequency: No statutory interval — must be “safe”
Legislation: Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016

While there is no legal requirement specifying how often PAT testing must occur, landlords have a duty to ensure that all electrical appliances supplied with the property are safe to use.

Best practice

Test all supplied appliances at the start of each new tenancy
Keep records of all tests and results
Replace any appliance that fails testing immediately

5. Legionella Risk Assessment

Frequency: On change of tenancy and periodically thereafter
Legislation: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; L8 ACOP

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requires landlords to assess the risk of Legionella bacteria in water systems. For most domestic properties, a simple risk assessment by the landlord is sufficient — a specialist engineer is only required for complex systems.

Low-risk mitigation measures

Ensure hot water is stored at 60°C or higher
Flush infrequently used outlets (e.g. en-suite showers) weekly
Remove any dead-legs or redundant pipework
Check and clean showerheads periodically

6. Fire Safety

Legislation: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022

Smoke alarms

At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation
All alarms must be tested at the start of each new tenancy

Carbon monoxide alarms

Required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (including gas boilers)
Also required in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance

HMO-specific requirements

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) face more stringent requirements, including interlinked fire alarms, fire doors, emergency lighting, and a documented fire safety risk assessment.

7. The End of Section 21 — What Landlords Need to Know

The Renters’ Rights Act abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions on 1 May 2026. This is one of the most significant changes to the private rented sector in a generation.

What this means in practice

You can no longer serve a Section 21 notice to end a tenancy without grounds
All tenancies are now periodic (rolling) by default
To regain possession, you must use Section 8 grounds under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
New mandatory grounds have been introduced, including Ground 1A (landlord wishes to sell) and Ground 1 (landlord/family member wishes to occupy)

Section 8 grounds at a glance

Ground	Description	Notice Period
Ground 8	At least 2 months’ rent arrears	4 weeks
Ground 10	Some rent arrears	4 weeks
Ground 11	Persistent late payment	4 weeks
Ground 1	Landlord/family to occupy	2 months
Ground 1A	Landlord intends to sell	2 months
Ground 14	Antisocial behaviour	Immediately

8. Selective and HMO Licensing

Many local authorities require landlords to obtain a licence before letting a property. There are three types of licensing:

Mandatory HMO licensing — applies to HMOs with five or more occupiers forming two or more households
Additional HMO licensing — local authority discretion; applies to smaller HMOs
Selective licensing — local authority discretion; can apply to all rented properties in a designated area

Before letting any property, check your local council’s website to confirm whether licensing applies. Operating without a required licence can result in a rent repayment order and a civil penalty of up to £30,000.

9. Right to Rent Checks

Legislation: Immigration Act 2014

Before granting a tenancy, landlords must verify that all adult occupiers have the legal right to rent in England. Failure to carry out checks correctly carries significant penalties.

How to carry out right to rent checks

Request original documents from the prospective tenant
Check the documents in the presence of the holder
Make copies and record the date of the check
Carry out follow-up checks for time-limited right to rent

Penalty for non-compliance: Civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal occupier for a first breach; unlimited for repeat breaches.

10. Deposit Protection

Legislation: Housing Act 2004

All deposits taken for assured shorthold tenancies in England and Wales must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt.

Approved schemes

Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
MyDeposits
Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

You must also provide your tenant with the scheme’s “prescribed information” within 30 days.

Penalty for non-compliance: Court can award up to three times the deposit value to the tenant.

Staying on Top of It All

Managing compliance across multiple properties — each with different certificate expiry dates — is a significant administrative burden. PropLedger was built to solve exactly this problem.

With PropLedger, you can:

Track expiry dates for all compliance documents across your portfolio
Receive automated email alerts before certificates expire
Store and retrieve certificates instantly
Generate Section 8 notices and tenancy agreements in seconds

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legislation changes frequently — always consult a qualified solicitor or letting agent for advice specific to your circumstances.