Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026

Last updated: March 2026 | Reviewed by HouseData editorial team

Staying compliant as a landlord requires juggling multiple legal requirements, from energy efficiency standards to safety certifications to tenant protections. To help you keep track, here's a comprehensive checklist of everything you need to do and keep documented.

Use this checklist monthly. Print it, bookmark it, or add it to your property management system. Check off items as you complete them and keep evidence (certificates, inspection reports, timestamps) in a secure file.

Energy & Efficiency (EPC)

Valid EPC Certificate Every 10 years

EPC Rating: E or Above (Current Compliance) Ongoing

Plan for EPC C Upgrade (2030 Requirement) By Q2 2026

Document EPC Recommendations After new EPC

Safety Certificates

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) Annually

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) Every 5 years / on new tenancy

PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing) Every 12 months

Fire Risk Assessment Every 2–3 years

Working Smoke/Heat Alarms (at least one per floor) Test monthly

Deposits & Tenancy Documentation

Deposit Protected with Authorised Scheme Before tenancy starts

Prescribed Information Provided (within 14 days) At tenancy start

Tenancy Agreement Signed & Retained For each tenancy

Reference Checks (credit, employment, landlord) Before letting

Inventory & Condition Report At move-in

Photographic Evidence of Property Condition At move-in & move-out

Landlord Registration & Data

Registered on PRS Database (Private Rented Sector) By deadline; renew annually

Maintained Updated Contact Details with Council Ongoing

Licensed (if required by local selective licensing scheme) Apply & renew as required

Insurance & Financial

Landlord Buildings Insurance Annual renewal

Insurance Covers Rental Income (if available) Check annually

Tax Records & Rental Income Documentation Ongoing / year-end

Maintenance & Repairs

Regular Property Inspections Every 6–12 months

Repair Requests Logged & Addressed Promptly Ongoing

Boiler Service & Maintenance Annually**

Check for Damp, Mould, or Structural Issues Each inspection

Tenant Communication

Right to Manage (RTM) / Commonhold Register (if applicable) As required

Rent Payment Tracking (consistent documentation) Monthly

Notice of Rent Increases (2 months' notice minimum) When applicable

Documentation Storage

Keep everything! Store documents securely for at least 6 years (longer for gas/electrical certificates):

Gas safety certificates (CP12) — 6 years
EICR certificates — at least 6 years
PAT testing records — at least 6 years
EPC documents — life of the certificate + 6 months
Tenancy agreements & deposit protection proof — life of tenancy + 6 years
Rent records — 6 years
Repair & maintenance logs — 6 years
Inventory & condition reports — life of tenancy + 6 years
Insurance certificates — continuously updated

Red Flags: The Most Common Compliance Failures

Tenants and enforcement officers specifically target these issues:

❌ No valid gas safety certificate
❌ Deposit not protected or prescribed information not provided
❌ No EICR (electrical test) on file
❌ Property rated below EPC E
❌ No tenancy agreement or agreements missing statutory clauses
❌ Mould or damp not addressed
❌ Not registered on PRS Database
❌ SMPs/fire safety equipment non-functional

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