The Essential Landlord Compliance Checklist for 2026

Landlord legislation in England has continued to evolve, and keeping on top of your legal obligations is essential — not just to avoid fines, but to protect your tenants and your investment. Here's a practical checklist of the key compliance requirements every East London landlord should have covered.

Safety certificates

A valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be in place before any tenancy begins and renewed annually. Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) are required every five years for all rental properties. Smoke alarms must be fitted on every floor and carbon monoxide detectors in any room with a solid fuel appliance — both must be tested at the start of each tenancy.

EPC requirements

All rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E. The government has signalled an intention to raise this to C for new tenancies in the coming years, though the exact timeline remains subject to legislation. We strongly recommend getting ahead of this now — improvements made proactively are far less disruptive and costly than those made under deadline pressure.

Licensing

Several London boroughs operate selective licensing schemes that require landlords to obtain a licence even for single-family lets. Newham has one of the most established schemes in the country. If you own property in Newham, Tower Hamlets, or Waltham Forest, check whether your property falls within a licensed area — operating without a licence can result in significant fines and a rent repayment order.

Deposit protection

All deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt, and the prescribed information must be served on the tenant. Failure to do so prevents you from serving a valid Section 21 notice and can result in a penalty of up to three times the deposit amount.