From 1 May 2026, all new residential tenancies in England must be Periodic Assured Tenancies. Fixed-term ASTs are no longer permitted for new lettings. Section 21 notices have been abolished. Use LetSafe's RRA-compliant tenancy agreement.
Your pre-tenancy checklist
Before your first tenant moves in, you must complete every item on this list. Missing any one of them exposes you to financial penalties, criminal liability, or an inability to recover your property.
- Obtain a valid EPC (minimum E rating)
- Gas Safety Record (CP12) from a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), must be 'Satisfactory'
- Smoke alarm on every storey; CO alarm in every room with a combustion appliance
- Right to Rent Check Pack: check every adult tenant and permitted occupier
- Tenancy deposit protection within 30 days of receiving the deposit � use the free Deposit Checker to confirm the correct deposit cap
- Serve prescribed information on all tenants and guarantors
- Give the tenant the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet (the old How to Rent guide was withdrawn in June 2026)
- Use a Periodic Assured Tenancy agreement (post-May 2026)
The Renters' Rights Act 2025, what it means for new landlords
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA) came into force on 1 May 2026. For first-time landlords, the most important change is that fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies are abolished for new lettings. You cannot offer a new tenant a 12-month fixed term, the tenancy must be granted as a Periodic Assured Tenancy from day one.
The other major change is the abolition of Section 21 notices. Under the old regime, landlords could serve a Section 21 'no-fault' notice to end a tenancy without giving a reason. This is no longer possible. Landlords must rely on one of the statutory grounds (Grounds 1�17) under Section 8 to recover possession.
Gas safety, annual obligation
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require landlords to have all gas appliances, fittings, and flues inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. The resulting Gas Safety Record (CP12) must be given to the tenant before they move in and within 28 days of each annual renewal. Keep records for 2 years. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
EICR, 5-year electrical safety
Since April 2021, all private rented properties in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report. The inspection must be carried out by a qualified electrician, and the report must be 'Satisfactory'. Remedial work on any 'Code 1' (immediate danger) or 'Code 2' (potentially dangerous) observations must be completed within 28 days. Give the tenant and any requesting local authority a copy. Penalty for non-compliance: up to �30,000.
Deposit protection, the 30-day rule
If you take a tenancy deposit, it must be protected in one of three government-approved schemes (DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS) within 30 days. You must also serve the prescribed information, documenting the scheme, the dispute process, and the grounds for deductions, within the same 30-day window. Failure to protect the deposit or serve prescribed information on time means a tenant can apply to court for a penalty order of 1�3 times the deposit amount.
Our New Landlord Starter Pack (�49) includes a RRA-compliant Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement, deposit prescribed information template, pre-tenancy document acknowledgement form, and a pre-tenancy compliance checklist � everything you need to grant a compliant first tenancy.