The Complete UK Landlord Compliance Checklist for 2026

If you're a landlord in England or Wales, 2026 brings a compliance landscape shaped by years of tightening regulation. From the aftermath of the Building Safety Act 2022 to updated electrical safety intervals and stricter energy efficiency targets on the horizon, staying compliant isn't optional — it's a legal and financial necessity.

This checklist covers every key requirement so you can audit your portfolio confidently and avoid the fines, enforcement notices, and insurance voidance that catch unprepared landlords out.

1. Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for any property with communal areas — and the Fire Safety Act 2021 extended its scope to include the structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings.

What you need:

• A written FRA carried out by a competent assessor
• Regular reviews — annually for HMOs, or whenever there's a material change
• Evidence that findings have been acted upon (remediation log)

Who it applies to: All HMOs, blocks of flats, buildings with communal areas. Single-let houses without shared areas are generally exempt, but best practice says you should still document fire safety measures.

Penalty for non-compliance: Unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment for serious breaches.

2. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Since June 2020, all privately rented properties in England require an EICR every five years (or sooner if the previous report specifies). The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 made this mandatory.

What you need:

• An EICR from a qualified electrician (registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA)
• The report must show a "Satisfactory" outcome, or any C1/C2 observations must be remediated within 28 days
• A copy must be provided to tenants within 28 days, and to the local authority on request

Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £30,000 per breach. Local authorities can also issue remedial notices requiring you to carry out work.

3. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must have all gas appliances, fittings, and flues checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What you need:

• An annual gas safety check before each anniversary date
• A Gas Safety Record (CP12) provided to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in
• Records kept for two years

Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £6,000 fine per breach, or criminal prosecution. Void insurance coverage in the event of a gas incident.

4. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

All rental properties in England and Wales need a valid EPC. Currently, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require a rating of E or above. The government has consulted on raising this to C by 2028 for new tenancies, so forward-thinking landlords should plan upgrades now.

What you need:

• A valid EPC (lasts 10 years) with a rating of E or better
• The certificate must be available to prospective tenants at the point of marketing
• If your property scores F or G, you cannot let it unless you have a valid exemption registered

What's changing: A proposed tightening to Band C by 2028 would require significant investment for many older properties. Consider getting an assessment now to plan improvements.

Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £5,000 per property per breach.

5. HMO Licensing

If your property is a House in Multiple Occupation (five or more tenants from two or more households sharing facilities), you need a mandatory HMO licence. Many boroughs also operate additional or selective licensing schemes that cover smaller HMOs or entire wards.

What you need:

• A mandatory HMO licence if the property has 5+ tenants from 2+ households
• Check your borough for additional licensing (typically 3–4 tenants from 2+ households) or selective licensing (covers all private rentals in designated areas)
• Licences last up to five years — renewal applications should be submitted well before expiry
• The property must meet minimum room sizes, amenity standards, and fire safety requirements to be licensed

Penalty for non-compliance: Unlimited fines, rent repayment orders (up to 12 months' rent), and inability to serve Section 21 notices.

6. Legionella Risk Assessment

While there's no single regulation mandating a legionella risk assessment for domestic landlords, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and HSE's ACOP L8 guidance make it clear that landlords have a duty to assess and control legionella risks in their water systems.

What you need:

• A written legionella risk assessment — this can be a simple assessment for straightforward domestic systems
• Ensure water is stored above 60°C and distributed above 50°C
• Flush through systems that haven't been used for a week or more (e.g., between tenancies)
• Annual review or after any changes to the water system

Penalty for non-compliance: Enforcement action under health and safety legislation; personal injury claims if a tenant contracts Legionnaires' disease.

7. Building Safety Act 2022 — What Landlords Need to Know

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced the most significant reform to building safety regulation in a generation. While it primarily targets higher-risk buildings (18 metres or 7+ storeys), its ripple effects reach all landlords:

• Building Safety Regulator (BSR): The BSR now oversees safety in higher-risk buildings and has enforcement powers
• Higher-risk building registration: All higher-risk residential buildings must be registered with the BSR
• Accountable Person duties: The "Accountable Person" (usually the building owner or management company) must assess and manage building safety risks
• Leaseholder protections: Qualifying leaseholders are protected from remediation costs for historical defects in many circumstances
• Information requirements: There's a duty to hand over building safety information (the "golden thread") when ownership changes

Impact on smaller landlords: Even if your building isn't classified as higher-risk, the Act signals a cultural shift. Regulators, insurers, and lenders are all paying closer attention to building safety documentation. Keeping thorough records of all assessments and remediation work is more important than ever.

8. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 expanded requirements:

• Smoke alarms on every storey with a living space (must be in working order at the start of each tenancy)
• Carbon monoxide alarms in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
• Alarms must be tested at the start of each new tenancy and replaced as needed

Penalty for non-compliance: Up to £5,000 per breach.

Compliance Checklist Summary

Use this as a quick reference to audit your properties:

• [ ] Fire Risk Assessment — current and reviewed annually (HMOs)
• [ ] EICR — valid and satisfactory, within five years
• [ ] Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — annual, within date
• [ ] EPC — valid (rating E or above), consider future C requirement
• [ ] HMO Licence — obtained if applicable, check borough schemes
• [ ] Legionella Risk Assessment — completed and reviewed
• [ ] Smoke alarms — every storey, tested at tenancy start
• [ ] Carbon monoxide alarms — in rooms with combustion appliances
• [ ] Building insurance — current and adequate
• [ ] Landlord identity and ownership docs — on file
• [ ] Right to Rent checks — completed for all tenants
• [ ] Tenancy deposit — protected in approved scheme within 30 days

Next Steps

Compliance can feel overwhelming, especially if you manage properties across multiple boroughs — each with their own additional licensing schemes and enforcement priorities.

BoroughReady can help. Use our borough compliance checker to see the specific requirements for your area, or get free quotes from vetted fire risk assessors and compliance professionals who cover your borough.

Don't wait for an enforcement notice. Get ahead of the requirements and protect your tenants, your investment, and your peace of mind.