Being a landlord in England isn’t just about finding tenants and collecting rent—it comes with a range of legal responsibilities designed to keep renters safe and properties compliant. The Renters’ Rights Act has rewritten the rulebook on tenancies, possession and rent, so whether you’re managing a single buy-to-let or a growing portfolio, these are the seven legal duties you can’t afford to overlook in the new era.
1. Use the New Periodic Tenancy System
Since 1 May 2026, fixed-term assured tenancies have been replaced by periodic tenancies under the Renters’ Rights Act. Any new tenancy agreement must reflect the new system, and older agreements drafted around fixed terms are out of date. This is the single biggest legal change of recent years, and everything else on this list sits on top of it.
2. Possess Property Only on the Prescribed Grounds
Section 21 no-fault notices are abolished. Possession is now available only on the Act’s redefined grounds – for example serious rent arrears, the landlord needing to sell the property, or the property being needed for the landlord’s family to live in. Each ground has its own conditions, evidence requirements and notice periods, which makes following the correct process from day one a legal necessity, not a nice-to-have.
3. Follow the Rent Increase Rules
In-tenancy rent review clauses are gone. Rent increases are limited in frequency and must follow a prescribed process. Landlords who try to circumvent the rules – for example with aggressive increases to push a tenant out – are acting unlawfully and expose themselves to serious consequences.
4. Protect Deposits Properly
If you take a deposit from a tenant, it must be placed in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, with the prescribed information provided to the tenant. Deposits are capped at five weeks’ rent – and higher deposits for pets or similar reasons are no longer permitted. Pet requests are handled through a separate consideration process instead.
5. Keep Safety Certificates Current
The core safety obligations carry through the new system: an annual gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe registered engineer, an electrical inspection (EICR) at least every five years, and working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the required rooms. We keep a full, up-to-date checklist of these in our guide to the essential responsibilities every landlord must know.
6. Meet Energy Performance Standards
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) at band E or above (unless exempt) is required to let a property, and a copy must be given to tenants. EPCs are valid for ten years and can be checked at gov.uk. Efficiency standards are tightening over time, so a marginal rating is worth improving sooner rather than later.
7. Complete Right to Rent Checks and Prescribed Information
Landlords must verify that tenants are legally allowed to rent in England, and provide the required prescribed information at the start of each tenancy – including the government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide. Failure to conduct Right to Rent checks can result in hefty fines or even imprisonment, so it’s not worth cutting corners. Many landlords hand this to their letting agent for exactly that reason.
The Common Thread: Documentation
Across all seven duties, the pattern is the same: the law now rewards landlords who document everything and follow process precisely. Records of rent payments, notices, certificates and communications are what make a possession claim straightforward if it is ever needed – and what protect you if a dispute arises.
You can read our plain-English summary of the legislation in The Renters’ Rights Act: What Landlords Need to Know. And if you would rather have all seven of these duties handled for you, talk to our lettings team – professional tenancy management keeps your property compliant and your tenancies smooth.
