LANDLORD HINTS & TIPS

Landlord Compliance Guide 2026

Provided by Primrose & Heath Property

This guide is designed to provide landlords with an overview of their key legal responsibilities when letting residential property in England. It is not a substitute for legal advice, and landlords remain responsible for ensuring their property complies with all current legislation and local authority requirements.

1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Before a property can be marketed for rent, landlords must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Landlords must:

• Ensure the property has a valid EPC.
• Provide a copy to prospective tenants upon request.
• Meet the current minimum energy efficiency requirements.

Most privately rented properties must currently achieve an EPC rating of E or above unless a valid exemption applies.

2. Gas Safety Requirements

Where a property contains gas appliances, landlords must:

• Arrange an annual gas safety inspection.
• Use a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
• Obtain a valid Gas Safety Record (CP12).
• Provide a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in.

Failure to comply may result in prosecution and may affect possession proceedings.

3. Electrical Safety

Landlords must ensure:

• An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is carried out at least every five years.
• Any remedial work identified as necessary is completed within the required timescales.
• A copy of the EICR is supplied to tenants.
• Electrical installations remain safe throughout the tenancy.

Any electrical appliances supplied by the landlord must also be safe.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is not a legal requirement in most residential tenancies but is recommended as good practice where appliances are provided.

4. Smoke Alarms

Landlords must ensure:

• At least one smoke alarm is installed on every storey used as living accommodation.
• Smoke alarms are tested and working on the first day of a new tenancy.

Tenants are generally responsible for ongoing testing and battery replacement unless otherwise agreed.

5. Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Landlords must ensure carbon monoxide alarms are installed in every room used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance, including:

• Gas boilers
• Wood-burning stoves
• Open fires
• Oil-fired appliances

Gas cookers are excluded from the legal requirement.

Alarms must be in working order at the start of each tenancy.

6. Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety

Any upholstered furniture supplied with the property must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.

Landlords should ensure:

• Fire safety labels remain attached where applicable.
• Non-compliant furniture is removed from the property.
• Records are retained where possible.

7. Water Systems & Legionella

Landlords have a legal duty to assess and control the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria.

In most residential properties, a simple documented risk assessment is sufficient.

Landlords should:

• Ensure water systems are maintained.
• Avoid long periods of water stagnation.
• Keep records of any risk assessment undertaken.

8. Deposit Protection

Where a tenancy deposit is taken, landlords must:

• Protect the deposit in a Government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within the required legal timescales.
• Provide tenants with the Prescribed Information relating to the scheme.

Failure to comply may result in financial penalties and restrictions on possession proceedings.

9. Right to Rent Checks

Landlords in England must verify that all adult occupiers have the legal Right to Rent before a tenancy begins.

Checks must be completed in accordance with Home Office guidance.

Failure to carry out checks can result in civil penalties and, in serious cases, criminal sanctions.

10. Prescribed Documents

Before a tenancy starts, landlords should ensure tenants receive all legally required documentation, including where applicable:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Gas Safety Certificate
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Deposit Prescribed Information
• Current Government "How to Rent" Guide

Failure to provide certain prescribed documents may affect a landlord's ability to serve notice in the future.

11. Property Repairs & Maintenance

Landlords have legal responsibilities under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to keep in repair:

• The structure and exterior of the property.
• Heating and hot water systems.
• Gas, electricity and sanitation installations.
• Sinks, baths, toilets and pipework.

Repairs should be carried out within a reasonable timeframe once reported.

12. Property Licensing

Certain properties may require licensing, including:

• Mandatory HMO Licensing.
• Additional HMO Licensing.
• Selective Licensing schemes operated by local authorities.

Licensing requirements vary between councils and landlords should check local requirements before letting a property.

13. Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

A property may be considered an HMO if occupied by three or more people forming more than one household who share facilities.

Additional HMO requirements may include:

• HMO licensing.
• Fire doors.
• Fire alarm systems.
• Emergency lighting.
• Fire risk assessments.
• Minimum room size standards.
• Waste management arrangements.

Requirements vary by local authority.

14. Data Protection

Landlords who collect and store tenant information must comply with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

Where personal data is processed, landlords may need to register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

How Primrose & Heath Property Can Help

We can assist with:

• Property marketing.
• Tenant referencing.
• Right to Rent checks.
• Deposit registration.
• Inventory preparation.
• Compliance monitoring.
• Gas Safety Certificates.
• EPCs.
• EICRs.
• Property inspections.
• Rent collection.
• Full property management.
• HMO management services.

Important Disclaimer

This guide is provided for information purposes only and reflects legislation applicable in England at the time of publication. It does not constitute legal advice.

Housing legislation changes regularly and additional local authority requirements may apply. Landlords should seek professional advice where necessary.

Primrose & Heath Property accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance upon this guide.

Primrose & Heath Property

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