Being a private landlord in 2026 means managing fifteen or so moving compliance deadlines per property. Some are annual (gas safety), some five-yearly (EICR), some ten-yearly (EPC), some one-off per tenant (Right-to-Rent, deposit protection, Prescribed Information, written statement of terms).
Any one of these failures can invalidate a future possession claim, trigger a civil penalty, or get you listed by the council. The LetSafe Annual Compliance Checklist (LS-E-020) is the printable master list — this page explains each item in plain English so you know what you are ticking off.
Certificates you must hold and serve
These are the four bits of paperwork every tenant must receive at the start of the tenancy (or on renewal). Miss any and you cannot serve Section 8 until the breach is cured.
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). Annual, issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer, served on the tenant within 28 days of inspection. No gas = no certificate required.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Five-yearly, covers the fixed installation, issued by a registered electrician. Served within 28 days.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Ten-yearly. Minimum rating E to let legally; government consulting on raising the floor to C from 2028.
- How to Rent guide. Current edition, served at the start of the tenancy. A fresh version must be served on renewal if the guide has been updated.
- Written statement of terms. Under the RRA 2025, the statutory written statement must be issued at the start of every periodic assured tenancy and after any material change.
Tenant checks and deposit handling
Before the tenancy starts and while it runs — the tenant-facing compliance items that landlords most frequently trip on.
- Right-to-Rent check. Before the tenant moves in (or within 28 days). Retain dated evidence. Repeat checks for time-limited permissions.
- Deposit protection. Register with DPS, MyDeposits or TDS within 30 days. Serve Prescribed Information on the same day.
- Inventory and schedule of condition. Signed by both parties on move-in. The only way to defend a future deposit deduction.
- Prescribed Information re-service. On any change of address, deposit, rental period, or landlord details.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 duties
From 1 May 2026, the new regime layers additional duties on top of the existing compliance stack.
- Periodic assured tenancy conversion. Every AST auto-converts on 1 May 2026. Issue the revised written statement within the prescribed window.
- Section 13 rent-review discipline. Rent rises through the prescribed form only, no more than once per 12 months, at or below market rent.
- Possession only via Section 8. Section 21 is gone. Pick the correct ground, give the correct notice period, evidence the basis.
- Private Landlord Database registration. Phased rollout across England from late 2026. Registration is mandatory before serving possession notices in your area.
- PRS Ombudsman membership. Mandatory once the ombudsman scheme is live (expected ~2028). Single sign-up per landlord.
- Decent Homes Standard (PRS). Once extended to the PRS, all rented homes must meet the DHS — hazards free, decent kitchen and bathroom, reasonable state of repair.
- Awaab's Law — damp and mould. Investigation window starts on written notification. Repairs to the prescribed timetable or you risk enforcement.
HMO-specific and licensing duties
If the property is a licensable HMO, add these to the base checklist.
- Current HMO licence (mandatory / additional / selective) issued by the council
- Fire risk assessment, reviewed at least annually
- Interlinked smoke alarms and CO detectors where required
- PAT testing where landlord-supplied appliances are provided
- Room-size and amenity standards per the council licence conditions
- Selective or additional licensing fee paid and renewal diaried
The compliance calendar at a glance
How the deadlines stack up across a typical year of a single property let to one tenant.
- Start of tenancy. CP12, EICR, EPC, How to Rent, Right-to-Rent, deposit protection, Prescribed Information, written statement of terms, inventory
- Annually. Gas safety re-inspection, Awaab's Law and fire-risk review
- 12-month mark. Earliest Section 13 rent increase date
- Every five years. EICR renewal
- Every ten years. EPC renewal (sooner if raising MEES)
- Ad hoc. Right-to-Rent follow-up checks, Prescribed Information re-service on any change
Frequently asked questions
What certificates must a landlord have for a rental property in 2026?+
At minimum: a current Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC rating E or above), and evidence of the Right-to-Rent check. From 1 May 2026 you must also issue the statutory written statement of terms under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
How often does a landlord need to renew the EICR?+
Every five years, or sooner if the previous report recommended an earlier re-inspection. The certificate must be served on the tenant within 28 days of the inspection and on any new tenant at the start of their tenancy.
What is the Private Landlord Database?+
A new mandatory register of private landlords in England, introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and rolling out across local authorities from late 2026. Landlords must register before serving possession notices in their area. Registration includes basic property and landlord details and attracts a modest annual fee.
Do I need to re-serve the How to Rent guide when it is updated?+
Yes, if the guide has been updated since the version you last served, serve the current edition on any new tenancy or tenancy renewal. Failure to do so blocks Section 8 possession on certain grounds until the breach is cured.
Does the Decent Homes Standard apply to private landlords yet?+
Extension of the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS is provided for in the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and is expected to commence after further consultation. Our LS-E-024 template is currently available as a pre-order so that you have the self-assessment ready for day one.
Does this checklist apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?+
The certificate and deposit elements apply broadly UK-wide (with local variations). The Renters' Rights Act items (PLD, PRS Ombudsman, written statement of terms, Section 13, Section 8) are English only. Wales, Scotland and NI operate under their own statutory regimes — see our nation-specific checklists.