Being a compliant landlord in 2026 is more complex than ever. The Renters' Rights Act has added dozens of new requirements on top of the existing compliance obligations that landlords have always had. This checklist covers all 47 checks every UK landlord must complete.
Section 1: Safety Certificates (8 checks)
1. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
Required annually for every property with gas appliances. Must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A copy must be given to tenants within 28 days of the check, or before they move in.
2. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Required every 5 years (or at change of tenancy). Must be carried out by a qualified electrician. A copy must be given to tenants within 28 days.
3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Required before marketing a property. Must be rated E or above (minimum standard). Valid for 10 years.
4. Smoke Alarms
At least one smoke alarm on every floor of the property. Must be tested and working at the start of every tenancy.
5. Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Required in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (including gas boilers). Must be tested and working at the start of every tenancy.
6. Legionella Risk Assessment
Required for all rental properties. Must be carried out by a competent person. Review annually or when circumstances change.
7. PAT Testing
Required for all electrical appliances provided by the landlord. Frequency depends on the type of appliance and usage.
8. Fire Risk Assessment
Required for HMOs and properties in converted blocks of flats. Must be reviewed annually.
Section 2: Tenancy Documentation (10 checks)
9. Tenancy Agreement
Must be updated for the Renters' Rights Act. Fixed-term clauses must be removed. New periodic tenancy structure must be used.
10. How to Rent Guide
Must be the latest version. Must be given to tenants at the start of every tenancy and when a new version is published.
11. Prescribed Information
Must be given to tenants within 30 days of receiving a deposit. Must include the correct information for the deposit protection scheme used.
12. Deposit Protection
Must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt. Failure to protect carries a penalty of up to 3x the deposit amount.
13. EPC Copy
Must be given to prospective tenants before they view the property, and to tenants at the start of the tenancy.
14. Gas Safety Certificate Copy
Must be given to tenants within 28 days of the annual check, or before they move in.
15. EICR Copy
Must be given to tenants within 28 days of the check.
16. Tenancy Deposit Scheme Leaflet
Must be given to tenants along with the prescribed information.
17. Section 13 Notice Procedure
Must use the correct procedure for any rent increases. Section 13 notice required. Maximum one increase per year.
18. Pet Policy
Must have a documented procedure for handling pet requests. Must respond within 28 days. Cannot use blanket 'no pets' policy.
Section 3: Renters' Rights Act Specific (12 checks)
Checks 19–30 cover the specific requirements of the Renters' Rights Act, including Section 21 abolition, new Section 8 grounds, landlord portal registration, ombudsman membership, Decent Homes Standard compliance, and Awaab's Law compliance.
Section 4: Property Standards (10 checks)
Checks 31–40 cover the Decent Homes Standard, minimum room sizes, ventilation requirements, damp and mould procedures, and general property maintenance standards.
Section 5: Administrative Compliance (7 checks)
Checks 41–47 cover right to rent checks, landlord database registration, ombudsman scheme membership, selective licensing (where applicable), HMO licensing (where applicable), and annual compliance declarations.
Download the Full Checklist
The complete 47-point checklist with guidance notes, legal references, and action steps for each item is available free from RentersComply. Download it today and start your compliance review.