Compliance guide · 9 min read
Landlord compliance checklist — every rule, certificate and deadline
Letting a home in England means holding a specific set of certificates and serving a specific set of documents. Miss one and you can face a penalty — and lose the ability to serve notice.
Last verified 6 September 2026 against HMRC and GOV.UK publications.
On this page
What must every landlord hold?
| Duty | How often | Give to the tenant |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety Record (CP12) | Every 12 months | Within 28 days of the check, and at the start of the tenancy |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | At least every 5 years | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| Energy Performance Certificate | Valid 10 years | At the start of the tenancy |
| Smoke alarms | One per storey, checked at the start of each tenancy | n/a — a physical duty |
| Carbon monoxide alarms | Every room with a fixed combustion appliance | n/a — a physical duty |
| Deposit protection | Within 30 days of receipt | Prescribed information within 30 days |
| Right to rent check | Before the tenancy starts | n/a — keep the evidence |
| How to Rent guide | Current version at the start of each tenancy | Yes, at the outset |
What is the minimum EPC rating to let a property?
In England and Wales a property must have an EPC rating of E or better to be let, unless a valid exemption is registered on the PRS Exemptions Register. Letting below E without an exemption is an offence and can be fined by the local authority.
We read the official energy register and show what is in date and what has lapsed.
Check my property's certificates →How must I protect the deposit?
- Protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
- Serve the prescribed information on the tenant, and anyone who paid on their behalf, within the same 30 days.
- Keep the evidence — without it you cannot serve a valid section 21 notice and the tenant can claim up to three times the deposit.
What is changing with section 21?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolishes section 21 'no fault' evictions and moves all assured tenancies to periodic tenancies, with revised grounds for possession. Commencement is being brought in by regulations — check the current commencement position before serving any notice.
Do I need a licence?
- Mandatory HMO licence: five or more occupiers forming more than one household, sharing facilities
- Additional licensing: a council may extend HMO licensing to smaller HMOs in its area
- Selective licensing: a council may require a licence for all privately rented homes in a designated area
Licensing is set locally, so always check the requirements published by the council for the property's address.
In summary
- Gas annually, electrics every five years, EPC E or better.
- Deposit protected and prescribed information served within 30 days.
- Alarms on every storey and by every fixed combustion appliance.
- Check local licensing — it varies council by council.
Frequently asked questions
How often is a gas safety check needed?
Every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with the record given to the tenant within 28 days.
How long does an EICR last?
Five years at most, or sooner if the report specifies an earlier re-inspection date.
What EPC rating do I need to rent out a property?
E or better in England and Wales, unless a valid exemption is registered.
Where do smoke alarms have to be?
At least one on every storey used as living accommodation, tested at the start of each new tenancy.
When must a deposit be protected?
Within 30 days of receiving it, with the prescribed information served in the same period.
What happens if I do not protect the deposit?
The tenant can claim between one and three times the deposit, and a section 21 notice cannot be served until it is returned or protected.
Do I need to give the How to Rent guide?
Yes, in England, at the start of the tenancy and again on renewal if the guide has been updated.
Is section 21 abolished?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 removes it, with commencement set by regulations — verify the current position before relying on either route.
Need to work out your own numbers?
Your duties, dates and certificates for a specific address.
Open the Compliance Hub →Official sources
Every figure in this guide is transcribed from these published pages. Always confirm against the source before filing or signing anything.
- Renting out your property — GOV.UK
- Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard — GOV.UK
- Tenancy deposit protection — GOV.UK
- Renters' Rights Act 2025 — legislation.gov.uk
Guidance only. mypropclear explains published rules and how they apply to figures you provide — it is not personalised tax or legal advice.