Guide · Safety and compliance

Landlord checklist before letting a property

The main safety and legal checks for a rented home in England, with the official source for each one. Use it before a new tenancy starts, and to keep an existing one in order.

Reviewed 28 September 2026 against GOV.UK · General information, not legal advice

The short answer

Before a tenancy starts in England you need: an annual gas safety check where there is gas, an electrical check at least every five years, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, an EPC rated E or above (unless exempt), a licence if the property needs one, right to rent checks for every adult, and the deposit protected within 30 days.

1. Gas safety

  • Gas appliances and flues you supply are installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • A registered engineer carries out a gas safety check on each appliance and flue every year.
  • The tenant gets a copy of the gas safety record before moving in, or within 28 days of the check.

2. Electrical safety

  • The electrics are checked at least every 5 years by a properly qualified person.
  • Tenants are given proof that the installation has been inspected and tested.
  • Appliances you supply, such as cookers and kettles, are safe.

3. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

  • At least one smoke alarm on each storey with a room used as living accommodation.
  • A carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas or oil boiler or a log-burning stove (gas cookers are excluded).
  • Each alarm checked and in working order on the day a new tenancy begins – keep a record of the test.
  • Faulty alarms repaired or replaced once you are told about them.

Councils can fine landlords up to £5,000 for failing to comply with a remedial notice.

4. Energy Performance Certificate

  • A valid EPC for the property.
  • A rating of E or above: since 1 April 2020, homes rated F or G cannot be let unless a valid exemption is registered.
  • If improvements to reach E would cost more than £3,500 including VAT, make the improvements you can up to that amount and register an exemption.

5. A licence, if needed

In Peterborough, designated streets in ten wards need a selective licence, and every HMO with three or more people needs an HMO licence. See our selective licensing and HMO licensing guides.

6. Right to rent checks

Before a new tenancy starts, check that every tenant aged 18 or over can legally rent in England – even if they are not named on the agreement. Check everyone: it is against the law to check only people you think are not British citizens.

7. Deposit protection

  • A tenancy deposit of no more than five weeks' rent (six weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more).
  • Protected in a government-approved scheme – the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme – within 30 days of receiving it.
  • The required information about the deposit given to the tenant.

8. The tenancy terms in writing

Since 1 May 2026, new tenancies are assured periodic tenancies with no end date, and tenants must be given certain information in writing – usually in the tenancy agreement. See our Renters' Rights Act checklist.

Want us to check? We can arrange the certificates and go through the list with you. Free rental valuation.

Sources

All checked 28 September 2026.

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