Plain-English guides to landlord compliance.

The Renters Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and introduces the most significant changes to private renting in a generation. This guide explains what the Act requires of self-managing landlords in England, covering the end of Section 21, the move to periodic tenancies, the new possession grounds, the landlord ombudsman, the PRS database, and what you need to do now.

Every domestic rental property in England that is let on an assured or regulated tenancy must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate and must meet the minimum energy efficiency standard of EPC band E before it can be let. This guide explains what the EPC is, which properties are covered, the minimum standard you must meet, how to give the certificate to tenants, what exemptions are available, and what the penalties are for non-compliance.

Every private landlord in England must have the electrical installations in their rental property inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person and obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report. This guide explains what the law requires, what the inspection covers, how to read the report codes, what to do if remedial work is needed, and what the penalties are for non-compliance.

Any landlord who takes a deposit on an assured tenancy in England must protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and give the tenant prescribed information about where it is held. This guide explains which tenancies are covered, the deposit cap, the three approved schemes, what prescribed information you must provide, how disputes are resolved, and what happens if you fail to comply.

If your rental property is occupied by five or more people from two or more separate households who share basic facilities, it is likely to be a House in Multiple Occupation requiring a mandatory licence from your local council. This guide explains the definition of an HMO, which properties require mandatory licensing, the conditions that apply to licences, minimum room size requirements, and what happens if you operate without one.

Every landlord with a gas supply in their rental property must arrange an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer and keep a valid Gas Safety Record on file. This guide explains what the law requires, what the check covers, how to give the record to tenants, and what happens if you do not comply.

Landlords in England must check that every tenant aged 18 or over has the legal right to rent in the UK before a tenancy begins. This guide explains who must be checked, the three ways to carry out a check, what to do with the documents, when follow-up checks are required, and the penalties for non-compliance.

Landlords in England must give every new tenant a copy of the government's How to Rent guide at the start of the tenancy. This guide explains what the document is, when you must provide it, what format is acceptable, what happens if the guide is updated, and why getting this right matters for your compliance record under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

Private landlords in England must fit at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker. This guide explains exactly what the rules require, where alarms must be placed, what landlords must do at the start of each tenancy, and how enforcement works.