An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for almost all rental properties in the UK. It provides tenants with clear information about the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a property, and it helps landlords understand where improvements can be made.

What is an EPC?
An EPC rates a property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The certificate also provides an estimate of typical energy costs, as well as recommendations for improvements that could make the property cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly. EPCs are produced by accredited domestic energy assessors.

When is an EPC required?
Landlords must obtain a valid EPC before marketing a property for rent. A copy must be given to prospective tenants and to new tenants when the tenancy begins. EPCs are valid for 10 years, but landlords may choose to obtain a new one sooner if improvements have been made that could increase the rating.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
Since April 2020, landlords in England and Wales cannot let out a property with an EPC rating below E, unless a valid exemption has been registered. This is part of the government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Exemptions may apply if:

• All cost-effective improvements have been made but the rating remains below E
• Certain improvements would devalue the property
• The property is listed, and recommended works would affect its character

Exemptions must be registered on the Private Rented Sector Exemptions Register, and they generally last for five years.

Providing EPCs to tenants
Landlords are legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the EPC free of charge. Failure to do so can invalidate a Section 21 notice, which landlords rely on to regain possession of the property.

Enforcement and penalties
Trading Standards enforces EPC regulations. Landlords who fail to provide a valid EPC can face civil penalties of up to £5,000 per property.

Benefits of compliance
Beyond legal obligations, improving a property’s energy efficiency can:

• Reduce tenants’ utility bills
• Make the property more attractive to potential tenants
• Increase property value
• Reduce environmental impact

To Conclude
EPCs are more than just a formality. They ensure transparency, help tenants make informed choices, and push landlords towards maintaining higher standards of energy efficiency. By obtaining, maintaining, and providing EPCs correctly, landlords remain compliant while adding value to their properties.

Landlords in England have a legal obligation to ensure that the electrical installations in their rental properties are safe. This requirement is set out in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, which apply to almost all private tenancies, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

What is an Electrical Safety Certificate?
The certificate is formally called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It is produced by a qualified and competent electrician following an inspection of the property’s fixed electrical installations, such as wiring, sockets, fuse boxes, and light fittings. The report identifies whether the installation is safe, lists any defects, and makes recommendations for remedial work.

How often must checks be done?
Landlords must arrange for an EICR to be carried out at least once every five years, or sooner if recommended by the electrician. A new EICR must also be obtained before letting to new tenants if the previous report has expired.

Providing certificates to tenants
The regulations require landlords to provide:

• A copy of the EICR to new tenants before they move in
• A copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• A copy to the local housing authority within seven days if requested

Keeping accurate records of reports and dates is essential for compliance.

Remedial work
If the report identifies remedial or investigative work, landlords must ensure this is carried out by a qualified person within 28 days, unless a shorter timescale is specified. Written confirmation of the completed work must then be obtained and given to tenants and, if requested, the local authority.

Consequences of non-compliance
Local authorities enforce the regulations and can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. Persistent failure to comply can also result in landlords being banned from renting out properties. Importantly, non-compliance may affect the landlord’s ability to serve a valid Section 21 notice for possession.

Best practice
Although checks are legally required every five years, landlords may choose to have interim inspections (e.g. at tenancy changeovers) for added reassurance. Regular visual checks of appliances, plugs, and sockets also help reduce risks between formal inspections.

To Conclude
Electrical safety is a fundamental responsibility for landlords. By arranging regular EICRs, acting promptly on recommendations, and sharing certificates with tenants, landlords protect their tenants from harm, remain compliant with the law, and reduce the risk of costly enforcement action.

Landlords in the UK have a legal duty to ensure that rented properties are safe for tenants, which includes fitting smoke alarms and, where necessary, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The requirements are set out in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, as amended in 2022. These rules apply to most types of rented accommodation, including houses, flats, and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Smoke alarm requirements
Landlords must install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of a property where there is living accommodation. For example, a two-storey house must have a minimum of one smoke alarm upstairs and one downstairs. Alarms can be battery-powered or hardwired, but they must be in good working order.

Carbon monoxide detector requirements
Landlords must install a carbon monoxide alarm in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler, fire, or solid fuel-burning stove. The only exception is appliances solely used for cooking (e.g. a standard gas cooker), although best practice is to fit alarms near these as well.

Testing obligations
Landlords are required to ensure that all smoke alarms and CO detectors are tested and working at the start of each new tenancy. After that, responsibility for regular testing (such as pressing the test button) usually passes to the tenant, although landlords should encourage tenants to test alarms monthly and report any faults immediately.

Replacement and maintenance
If a tenant reports that an alarm is not working, the landlord must repair or replace it as soon as reasonably practicable. Alarms should also be replaced when they reach the end of their manufacturer’s lifespan, which is usually around 7–10 years.

Enforcement and penalties
Local housing authorities are responsible for enforcing the regulations. If a landlord fails to comply, the authority can serve a remedial notice and, if ignored, arrange for the work to be done themselves. Landlords may also face a civil penalty of up to £5,000 per breach.

Best practice
Although the law sets minimum requirements, many landlords choose to go further by:

• Installing smoke alarms in every bedroom and main living area
• Using interlinked alarms for greater safety
• Providing guidance to tenants on testing and maintaining alarms
• Testing and replacing alarm batteries before each tenancy begins

To conclude
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. By fitting, testing, and maintaining them correctly, landlords not only meet their legal obligations but also provide tenants with vital protection against two of the most serious risks in rental housing: fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Landlords in the UK have a legal duty to ensure that any property they let with gas appliances is safe. The key requirement is to obtain a valid Gas Safety Certificate (often called a CP12) every year. This obligation comes from the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and non-compliance carries heavy penalties.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A Gas Safety Certificate is an official record produced by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection of the property’s gas installations. The check covers:

• All gas appliances provided by the landlord (boilers, cookers, fires)
• Flues, chimneys, and ventilation connected to those appliances
• Gas pipework throughout the property

The engineer will confirm whether appliances are safe, record any defects, and note any remedial work required.

How often must checks be done?
A gas safety check must be carried out at least once every 12 months. Landlords must keep records of each check for at least two years.

Providing certificates to tenants
Landlords are legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate:

• To new tenants, it must be given before they move in.
• To existing tenants, a copy of the renewed certificate must be provided within 28 days of the annual check.

Electronic copies are acceptable, provided tenants can access and keep them.

Who can carry out the check?
Only a qualified engineer who is registered with the Gas Safe Register may carry out gas safety inspections. Landlords should always check the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card to confirm they are certified for the specific type of work required.

Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to comply with gas safety regulations is a criminal offence. Local authorities can impose unlimited fines, and in serious cases landlords may face imprisonment. Non-compliance also invalidates the ability to serve a Section 21 notice for possession, potentially leaving landlords unable to regain their property.

Good practice
In addition to annual checks, landlords should:

• Encourage tenants to report faults immediately
• Install carbon monoxide alarms where required (and test them at tenancy start)
• Carry out servicing of boilers and appliances according to manufacturer recommendations

To Conclude
Gas safety is a critical landlord duty. By arranging annual checks, providing certificates promptly, and acting quickly on any faults, landlords protect tenants’ health, remain legally compliant, and safeguard their property.

When landlords let a property under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) in England or Wales, it is common practice to collect a tenancy deposit. This money provides security against unpaid rent, damage to the property, or breaches of the tenancy agreement. However, strict legal rules govern how deposits must be handled, and landlords who fail to comply face serious penalties.

Deposit protection schemes
By law, any deposit taken must be placed in one of the three government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) schemes within 30 calendar days of receipt. The three authorised providers are:

• Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
• MyDeposits
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)

These schemes ensure that deposits are kept safe and that disputes at the end of the tenancy can be resolved fairly.

Prescribed information
Within the same 30-day period, landlords must also provide tenants with certain prescribed information in writing. This includes:

• The address of the rented property
• The amount of the deposit
• The scheme used to protect it and how it works
• How to apply for the return of the deposit
• What to do in case of a dispute

Failing to provide this information correctly invalidates compliance, even if the deposit is protected.

Deposit limits
Since June 2019, under the Tenant Fees Act, deposits in England are capped at the equivalent of five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is below £50,000, and six weeks’ rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or more. Landlords cannot demand higher amounts.

Returning the deposit
At the end of the tenancy, the deposit must be returned in full unless there are lawful deductions. Deductions may be made for unpaid rent, damage beyond fair wear and tear, or breaches of the tenancy agreement (such as unauthorised alterations). The balance must be returned within 10 days of agreement between landlord and tenant.

Consequences of non-compliance
If a landlord fails to protect the deposit or serve the prescribed information correctly, the tenant can apply to court. The court may order the landlord to pay the tenant up to three times the deposit amount as compensation. In addition, the landlord loses the right to serve a Section 21 notice to regain possession of the property until the matter is rectified.

To Conclude
Proper handling of tenancy deposits is not optional. Using an approved scheme, serving the correct paperwork, and respecting the rules ensures compliance, protects both parties, and prevents costly legal disputes.

A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between landlord and tenant, setting out the terms under which the tenant is allowed to occupy the property. While verbal agreements can, in theory, create a tenancy, a written tenancy agreement is strongly recommended and, in most cases, effectively required for compliance, clarity, and legal protection.

Clarity of rights and responsibilities
A tenancy agreement clearly defines the obligations of both landlord and tenant. It sets out how much rent is due, when it must be paid, the length of the tenancy, rules about repairs and maintenance, and the circumstances in which the tenancy can be ended. Having these details in writing reduces the risk of misunderstandings and disputes.

Legal compliance
Most residential tenancies in England are created as Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) under the Housing Act 1988. For an AST to be valid, certain conditions must be met: the tenant must be an individual, the property must be their main home, and the rent must fall within defined thresholds. A written tenancy agreement provides the necessary evidence that the tenancy is legally compliant and helps landlords meet associated duties, such as protecting the deposit and providing statutory information.

Evidence in disputes
If disagreements arise, over rent arrears, property damage, or eviction, a written agreement provides crucial evidence in court or during deposit scheme adjudication. Without one, it becomes difficult to prove what was agreed, leaving both parties exposed.

Customising terms
A tenancy agreement allows landlords to set property-specific rules, provided they are fair and legal. Examples include restrictions on subletting, keeping pets, or smoking in the property. These clauses provide additional protection for landlords while making expectations clear to tenants.

Tenant confidence
From the tenant’s perspective, a written tenancy agreement provides reassurance that they have legal rights to occupy the property for the agreed period. It ensures security of tenure and confirms that the landlord cannot change key terms, such as rent levels or notice periods, without following the proper legal process.

Conclusion
While a tenancy can technically exist without a written contract, this leaves both landlord and tenant vulnerable. A properly drafted tenancy agreement is therefore essential: it provides legal protection, establishes clarity, and ensures compliance with housing law

Under the Immigration Act 2014, landlords in England are legally required to ensure that every adult tenant has the legal right to rent property. This duty is known as the Right to Rent check, and failing to carry it out correctly can result in significant fines or even criminal liability in cases of knowing breaches.

Who must be checked?
All adults (18 or over) who will be living in the property as their main home must be checked, regardless of whether they are named on the tenancy agreement or whether they pay rent. Children under 18 do not need to be checked, but landlords should keep evidence of their age.

When should checks be done?
Checks must be carried out before the tenancy begins. If a person has a time-limited right to rent (for example, their visa will expire), a follow-up check must be carried out before the expiry date, or within 12 months of the previous check, whichever comes later.

How are checks carried out?
Landlords have two options:

1. Manual document checks
   Tenants present original documents proving their right to rent. The landlord must check these in the tenant’s presence (or via live video link with the original documents held by the landlord) and keep copies. Acceptable documents include a UK passport, EU settled status confirmation, biometric residence permits, or Home Office letters.
2. Online checks
   For tenants with a digital immigration status, landlords can use the Home Office’s free online service. The tenant provides a share code, which the landlord enters on the government website to view their status.

What records must be kept?
Landlords must make clear copies of the documents or retain the online check result, recording the date the check was made. These records must be stored securely for at least one year after the tenancy ends.

What happens if checks are not done?
Landlords who fail to carry out checks can face civil penalties of up to £20,000 per tenant. In cases where landlords knowingly let to someone without the right to rent, criminal sanctions, including imprisonment, may apply.

Key point:
Landlords are not expected to be experts in immigration law, but they must follow the prescribed process carefully. Conducting and recording checks properly provides a statutory excuse against penalties if an issue later arises.

Here’s a UK-focused list of 10 key things landlords must do before tenants move in at the start of a tenancy:

1. Right to Rent Checks
   Verify that all adult tenants have the legal right to rent in the UK by checking and recording their immigration status documents. Read more…
2. Tenancy Agreement
   Provide a written tenancy agreement (usually an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, AST) outlining the terms, rent, deposit, and responsibilities. Read more…
3. Protect the Deposit
   If taking a tenancy deposit, it must be placed in a government-approved tenancy deposit protection (TDP) scheme within 30 days, and prescribed information must be given to the tenant. Read more…
4. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
   Provide a valid Gas Safety Record from a Gas Safe engineer, issued within the last 12 months (if there are gas appliances). Read more…
5. Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
   Supply tenants with a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report, which must be renewed at least every 5 years. Read more…
6. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
   Give tenants a copy of a valid EPC, showing the property’s energy efficiency (must be rated at least E unless exempt). Read more…
7. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
   Install at least one working smoke alarm on each floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel-burning appliance (e.g. wood burner). Test them on the first day of the tenancy. Read more…
8. ‘How to Rent’ Guide
   Provide tenants with the latest government-issued How to Rent: The checklist for renting in England booklet (can be given digitally or in print).
9. Repairs and Safety Checks
   Ensure the property is safe, well-maintained, free from hazards, and complies with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
10. Inventory and Condition Report
    Prepare a detailed, dated inventory with photographs to document the condition of the property, fixtures, and fittings at move-in.