Landlord compliance checklist 2026 (England)
Everything a self-managing landlord in England needs to stay compliant, in one place.
In short: a gas safety check every year, an EICR every 5 years, an EPC rated E or above, the deposit protected within 30 days, Right to Rent checks, working smoke and CO alarms, the right licence, and registration on the landlord database from December 2026.
Before a tenant moves in
- Check whether your council requires a licence (HMO, additional or selective licensing).
- Carry out Right to Rent checks on every adult and keep copies.
- Get an EPC rated E or above and give the tenant a copy.
- Give the tenant the current gas safety record and EICR.
- Fit a smoke alarm on every storey, and a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas cookers excepted). Test them on day one.
- Carry out a legionella risk assessment.
- Give the written statement of terms before the tenancy starts. Tenancy agreement tips
- Make a detailed inventory with dated photos.
Within 30 days of taking a deposit
- Protect it with a government-approved scheme: DPS, mydeposits or TDS.
- Give the tenant the prescribed information.
Regular checks
| How often | What |
|---|---|
| Every year | Gas safety check, alarm tests, landlord database renewal, insurance review |
| Every 5 years | EICR electrical safety report |
| Every 10 years | EPC renewal |
| When a licence is due | HMO or selective licence renewal |
The Renters' Rights Act timeline
- Since 1 May 2026: no Section 21, rolling tenancies, rent rises once a year, no rental bidding. Full guide
- By 31 May 2026: tenants with older written agreements should have received the government information sheet.
- From 15 December 2026: landlord database registration, region by region. Registration guide
- Expected 2028: landlord ombudsman membership.
Tax
Keep records of rental income and allowable expenses. Landlords over the income threshold must use Making Tax Digital. MTD guide
How Landlord Friendly will help
- Reminders before every certificate, licence and registration renewal
- All certificates stored against each property
- A compliance score showing what's missing
Frequently asked questions
How often do landlords need a gas safety check?
Every year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Give tenants a copy within 28 days and keep records for at least 2 years.
How often is an EICR needed?
At least every 5 years. Give tenants a copy within 28 days and complete any required repairs within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
What EPC rating does a rental need?
At least E. A minimum of C by 1 October 2030 has been proposed, so it is worth planning improvements now.
How long do I have to protect a deposit?
30 days, in a government-approved scheme, with the prescribed information given to the tenant.
Do I need to register on the landlord database?
Yes. Registration opens from 15 December 2026, region by region, at £65 per property each year.
Related: First-time landlord checklist · Landlord database registration
Official sources
- Gas safety: landlords and letting agents (HSE)
- Guide for landlords: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector (GOV.UK)
- Minimum energy efficiency standard: landlord guidance (GOV.UK)
- Private renting: deposits (GOV.UK)
- Landlord's guide to right to rent checks (GOV.UK)
- Get ready: Register your rental property (GOV.UK Housing Hub)
- Guide to the Renters' Rights Act (GOV.UK)
Last reviewed 25 October 2026. This guide is general information for landlords in England, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before acting.