Landlord compliance checklist for England
What a private landlord in England needs in place before and during a tenancy, with how often each item comes round. Each line links to a full guide.
Checked against the sources below on 21 October 2026. England only.
In short
- Gas safety check every 12 months, if you provide gas appliances.
- Electrical inspection (EICR) at least every 5 years.
- EPC rated E or above, valid for 10 years.
- Smoke alarm on every storey, and carbon monoxide alarms where needed, checked on the first day of each tenancy.
- Deposit protected, and the tenant told how, within 30 days.
- Right to Rent checks for every adult before the tenancy starts.
- A written tenancy agreement, and the information sheet for tenancies that existed before 1 May 2026.
Before a tenancy starts
- EPC
- Rated E or above, given to prospective tenants. Valid for 10 years.
- Gas safety record
- A copy to the new tenant before they move in.
- Electrical safety report
- A copy to the new tenant before they move in.
- Alarms
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working on the day the tenancy starts.
- Right to Rent
- Every adult occupier checked before the start date.
- Rent in advance
- Nothing before the agreement is signed; at most one month between signing and the start.
- HMO licence
- If the home is a licensable HMO.
During the tenancy
- Deposit
- Protected, with the required information given, within 30 days of receiving it.
- Gas safety
- Checked every 12 months; a copy to tenants within 28 days.
- EICR
- At least every 5 years; a copy to tenants within 28 days; repairs within 28 days.
- Rent increases
- Once a year at most, with a section 13 notice and 2 months’ notice.
- Pet requests
- A written reply within 28 days.
- Repairs
- Faulty alarms repaired or replaced once reported.
The checklist, kept for you
LieuTenant tracks the certificates for every home and flat, reminds you 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each is due, flags missing tenancy papers and late rent on each property, and keeps tenants’ repairs and pet requests in one place. Free for any number of homes.
Questions
What certificates does a landlord need?
In England: a gas safety record every 12 months if there are gas appliances, an electrical safety report at least every 5 years, and an EPC rated E or above. HMOs may also need a licence.
Sources
- Your landlord’s safety responsibilities (GOV.UK)
- Renters’ Rights Act: an overview for landlords (GOV.UK)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the sources or a professional before acting.