Landlord Compliance in the UK: The Core Obligations Checklist

Safety

• Gas safety: an annual check of gas appliances by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with a copy of the record given to tenants
• Electrical safety: a periodic inspection and report by a qualified person at least every five years in England
• Smoke alarms on every storey used as living accommodation, and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance
• Keeping the property free from serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System

Energy performance

A valid Energy Performance Certificate is required when letting, and minimum energy efficiency standards apply to most private rented homes. Proposals to raise the minimum standard have been consulted on — check the current requirement and any future deadlines.

Deposits and documents

• Protect deposits in a government-approved scheme within the required timeframe and serve the prescribed information
• Provide the documents tenants are entitled to at the start of a tenancy
• Carry out Right to Rent checks in England
• Keep a dated, evidenced inventory of the property's condition

Tenancy reform

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is changing how private tenancies work in England, including the move away from fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and section 21 'no-fault' evictions. Provisions are being brought in in stages, so check which apply on the date you let or serve any notice. Scotland and Wales have their own separate tenancy regimes.

Licensing

Check whether your council operates mandatory, additional or selective licensing that applies to your property. Letting without a required licence can lead to significant penalties.

Stay organised

A simple compliance calendar — certificate expiry dates, inspection schedules and document records — prevents most problems. The Documents & Inspections area of the demo Landlord Workspace shows one way to organise this paperwork; its templates are illustrative, not legal documents.