The landlord compliance checklist for England, 2026
Six certificates, six renewal clocks, one Act that raised the stakes on 1 May 2026. Here is the full record.
Last reviewed 5 July 2026 · England
A rental property in England carries six compliance certificates. Miss one and a council can fine you, a tenant can raise a claim, or a sale can stall. This is the full list, with how often each one renews.
| Certificate | Renewal | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety (CP12) | Every 12 months | Up to £6,000 |
| EICR | Every 5 years, or the report's own date | Up to £40,000 |
| EPC | Every 10 years, minimum band E | Up to £5,000 |
| Smoke & CO alarms | Every storey, plus fixed-combustion rooms, checked at tenancy start | |
| HMO licence | Typically 5 years, if the property needs one | |
| Legionella risk assessment | Review recommended every 2 years |
What changed in 2026
The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026. It removed Section 21 “no fault” evictions and gave councils stronger enforcement powers, including civil penalties of up to £40,000 for electrical safety breaches.
The Act also changed what counts as a defence. A landlord who can show documented, up-to-date compliance is in a materially stronger position than one who cannot, whether the dispute is with a tenant, a council, or a tribunal.
The PRS database
A national database for private landlords opens for registration in late 2026, with full compliance expected through 2027. Registration will ask for your gas, electrical and energy certificates, so the paperwork needs to already be in order, not assembled under deadline.
Landlords who are not registered will not be able to serve Section 8 notices, which makes the database a functional requirement, not a formality.
What to do now
- List every certificate your property needs against the table above, including the HMO licence and Legionella assessment if they apply to you.
- Check the actual renewal date on each document, not just when you think it was issued.
- Keep the certificates and the dates in one place you will check. CertSorted holds all six, reminds you before each one lapses, and keeps the record you will need for the PRS database.