Being a landlord comes with a range of legal responsibilities to ensure your property is safe, compliant, and suitable for tenants. With the Renters’ Rights Act now in force, the compliance picture has shifted again, so here is an up-to-date guide to the key areas you need to stay on top of.
1. Electrical Safety
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the property’s electrics inspected at least every five years by a qualified professional. This applies to all tenancies. The electrical installation must be safe, and landlords must provide tenants with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) as proof.
2. Fire & Carbon Monoxide Safety
- A smoke alarm must be installed on every floor of the property, and tested at the start of each tenancy.
- A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room containing a fixed fuel-burning appliance – this includes gas boilers, wood-burning stoves and open fires, under regulations that have applied to all tenancies since April 2023.
3. Gas Safety
Any property with gas appliances must have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A Gas Safety Certificate must be issued and given to the tenant before they move in, with a new copy provided after each annual inspection. This remains one of the strictest obligations in lettings, with penalties to match.
4. Energy Performance (EPC)
Before renting out a property, landlords must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which rates the property’s energy efficiency. All privately rented properties must have a rating of EPC band E or higher (unless exempt), and with tenants increasingly focused on running costs, a better rating is also a genuine letting advantage. EPCs are valid for 10 years, and you can check a property’s EPC status online at gov.uk.
5. Right to Rent Checks
Landlords must confirm that tenants have the legal right to rent in England before letting a property. The government’s guidance is extensive, and many landlords choose to have a letting agent handle this process. Failing to conduct these checks can result in hefty fines or imprisonment.
6. Tenant Deposits
- Any deposit taken from a tenant must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
- Landlords must provide tenants with details of the scheme and a prescribed information document.
- Deposits are capped at five weeks’ rent. Higher deposits for tenants with pets are no longer permitted – pet requests are handled through the Renters’ Rights Act’s request process instead.
7. Financial Responsibilities
Landlords are responsible for:
- Paying taxes (and possibly National Insurance) on rental income. Consulting an accountant or tax specialist is recommended.
- Buildings insurance is mandatory, and additional coverage (e.g. rent guarantee or legal protection) is advisable to protect against unpaid rent, legal disputes, or void periods.
What the Renters’ Rights Act Changed
Since 1 May 2026, the private rented sector has operated under the new framework introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act. The responsibilities above all still apply, but the Act added new duties around how tenancies are structured and administered:
- Tenancies are now periodic. Fixed-term assured tenancies have been replaced, and landlords must use documentation that reflects the new system.
- Section 21 is abolished. Possession is only available on the Act’s prescribed grounds, each with its own conditions and notice periods – which makes record-keeping and process discipline more important than ever.
- Rent increases are limited. In-tenancy review clauses are gone; increases follow a prescribed process and frequency.
- Pets must be considered. Tenants have the right to request to keep a pet, and landlords must properly consider each request.
We have written a plain-English summary of what the Renters’ Rights Act means for landlords, which goes into each of these points in more detail.
Other Responsibilities to Keep in Mind
- Property Maintenance: Any provided furniture or appliances must be safe, and repairs (e.g. boilers, showers, taps) must be handled promptly – a slow response to maintenance is also the fastest way to lose a good tenant.
- Health & Safety: Ensure the property is free from serious hazards throughout the tenancy.
- Blinds Safety: Any provided blinds must be safe by design, without looped cords that pose a risk.
- Legionella Risk: In some cases, landlords must assess and manage the risk of Legionnaires’ disease in the property’s water system.
Top Tip for Landlords
At the start of each tenancy, landlords (or their letting agents) must provide tenants with a copy of the government guide:
‘How to rent: the checklist for renting in England’—either as a printed copy or via email (PDF format) with tenant consent.
By staying compliant with these key responsibilities, landlords can protect both their property and their tenants while avoiding legal complications. If you would like support keeping your lettings compliant, get in touch – professional tenancy management takes the weight of all of this off your shoulders. See also our guide to keeping great tenants for the long term.
