Keeping a rental property compliant is one of the biggest responsibilities a landlord carries — and the rules keep evolving. Here is a plain-English summary of the key obligations for 2026. This is general guidance, not legal advice; if you''re unsure about your own property, talk to us.
The essentials every landlord must have
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — renewed every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — at least every 5 years.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — valid for 10 years; minimum standards for rented homes are tightening, so check your rating before your next tenancy.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms — smoke alarms on every storey, CO alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances.
- Deposit protection — deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, with the prescribed information served.
- Right to Rent checks — verify every adult tenant''s right to rent before the tenancy starts.
Renters'' reform: what to watch
The reform agenda continues to reshape the sector — changes to possession grounds, periodic tenancies and property standards all affect how tenancies should be set up and managed. The practical takeaway: paperwork done properly at the start of a tenancy is what protects you at the end of one.
The cost of getting it wrong
Non-compliance can mean fines, inability to serve valid notices, and in serious cases criminal liability. Most failures we see are not deliberate — they''re missed renewal dates. That''s why our managed service tracks every certificate and renewal for you.
If you''d rather never think about a renewal date again, our Fully Managed service handles compliance end to end.