New Tenancy Compliance Checklist

Check with your local council. Letting without a required licence can result in a fine of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order.

A minimum EPC rating of E is required to let a property in England. The EPC must be valid (10-year lifespan). Letting below E without a valid exemption is unlawful.

Must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Required annually for properties with gas. Answer N/A if the property has no gas supply.

Must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Required for all private rented properties in England.

Required under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (amended 2022). Must be tested at the start of each tenancy.

Required since 1 October 2022. Applies to rooms with a gas boiler, log burner, open fire or similar. Answer N/A if the property has no fixed combustion appliances.

Mandatory for all tenancies in England. You must check documents before the tenancy starts and keep a record. Failure can result in a civil penalty.

Use the correct agreement for your situation. Under the Renters' Rights Act, all new tenancies must be periodic — fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies are no longer permitted.

For tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026, specified information about the key terms must be provided before the tenancy agreement is signed or the tenancy is otherwise agreed. It may be included in the tenancy agreement or provided separately.

Must be provided before the tenant moves in. During the tenancy, a copy of any renewal must be given within 28 days. Answer N/A if the property has no gas supply.

Must be provided before the tenancy begins.

Must be provided before the tenant moves in.

A thorough inventory is your primary protection at the end of the tenancy. Photograph everything and ensure the tenant has a copy.

Prevents disputes over utility bills at the end of the tenancy.

Note which keys were provided and in what condition. This matters at check-out.

Avoids you being billed for utilities after the tenant moves in.

Prevents council tax liability falling on you during the tenancy.

Must be done within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Failure means you cannot serve a valid possession notice and may face a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit amount. Answer N/A if no deposit was taken.

Must be served within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Failure to serve the Prescribed Information correctly prevents a valid possession notice being served.

Keep a copy on file. You will need this if there is a dispute at the end of the tenancy.

Serving the right documents is only half the job. Courts have rejected possession claims because landlords could not evidence service. A simple record can be decisive.

You may need these documents years later in a dispute or court proceedings.

Required annually. Set a calendar reminder at least 6 weeks before expiry to allow time to book a Gas Safe engineer.