Property & Landlord2 min check

Landlord Compliance Checklist

Check your current position on the major UK landlord legal duties.

Short answer

Core landlord duties in England: protect deposit (30 days), provide gas safety certificate (annual), EICR (every 5 years), EPC band E+, smoke alarms on every floor + CO alarms in fuel-burning rooms, How to Rent guide, Right to Rent checks. Wales adds Rent Smart, Scotland landlord registration.

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Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) in date?, EICR done in last 5 years (electrical)?, EPC band E or better, valid (10 yrs)?, Deposit in approved scheme + PI served (within 30 days)?, Right to Rent checks done & recorded?, Smoke alarm on every storey + CO alarm in rooms with fuel-burning appliances?, Latest 'How to Rent' guide given to tenant?, HMO / selective licence in place if required?.
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Property & Landlord. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

This is a checklist of the documents and certificates required before serving any notice or starting any tenancy. Missing any of them can invalidate Section 21, trigger fines, or expose you to a Rent Repayment Order.

Worked example

New AST 1 June: serve gas safety + EPC + How to Rent + EICR copy on or before move-in date. Deposit protected by 30 June. Smoke alarm on every storey tested on day one.

Who should use this

•Self-managing landlords
•Letting agents onboarding new properties
•Landlords switching from agent to self-management

Common mistakes

×Serving gas safety late — original case law says s.21 invalid forever (relaxed by Trecarrell, but still risky)
×Forgetting Right to Rent for all adult occupiers
×Not re-issuing How to Rent at each renewal version
×Outdated EICR (5-year cycle)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to be a landlord?▾

England — only for HMOs and selective licensing areas. Wales — Rent Smart Wales for all. Scotland — landlord registration for all.

What's the penalty for missing gas safety?▾

Unlimited fine and possible imprisonment. Tenant can also claim Rent Repayment Order.

Can I do my own EICR?▾

Only if you're a registered competent electrician. Otherwise use NICEIC / NAPIT registered.

Related calculators

Deposit Protection →Section 21 →EPC Duty →HMO Licence →