✅ 1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Minimum requirement: EPC rating E or above (soon to be C for new tenancies).
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EPCs are valid for 10 years but must be renewed before expiry.
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Fines of up to £5,000 apply for letting a property that doesn’t meet the minimum standard.
✅ 2. Gas Safety Certificate
Legal requirement: Annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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You must provide a valid certificate at the start of the tenancy and keep records for at least two years.
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Failure to comply can lead to unlimited fines and possible imprisonment.
✅ 3. Electrical Safety Standards (EICR)
Legal requirement: Five-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Report.
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Applies to all new and existing tenancies.
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Any Category 1 or 2 hazards must be fixed within 28 days (or sooner, depending on severity).
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Copies must be given to tenants and the local authority if requested.
✅ 4. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
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One working smoke alarm per floor of living space.
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CO alarms in any room with a solid fuel appliance (e.g. wood burner) — recent updates may now require these for gas boilers as well.
🛠️ Don’t forget: Alarms must be tested and confirmed working on the first day of the tenancy.
✅ 5. Deposit Protection
Must be registered in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
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Provide tenants with the “Prescribed Information” and confirmation of protection.
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Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to 3x the deposit amount and could make it difficult to serve notice later.
✅ 6. Right to Rent Checks
Required for all adult tenants before the tenancy begins.
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Landlords must check ID documents and retain copies.
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Fines for renting to someone without a legal right to reside in the UK can be severe.
✅ 7. How to Rent Guide
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A current copy must be given to tenants at the start of every tenancy.
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Available to download directly from the GOV.UK website.
⚠️ Staying Ahead
It’s a lot to keep up with, especially when new rules are added or updated frequently. That’s where we come in. As your local letting experts, we stay up to date on all regulations so you don’t have to worry about falling behind.
