The Landlords 2026 Compliance Checklist
Every certificate, check and legal duty a UK landlord must stay on top of in 2026, from EPC and gas safety to EICR and MEES, with renewal deadlines.
By First Certify · 2026-01-06 · 8 min read
First Certify is a UK property compliance platform staffed by accredited assessors and qualified engineers. This article has been reviewed for accuracy against current UK regulations, including MEES, the Electrical Safety Standards 2020, and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Staying compliant as a landlord in 2026 means keeping track of several overlapping legal duties, each with its own renewal cycle. Missing one can mean fines, invalidated insurance, or an inability to legally let your property. This checklist covers every certificate and check you need.
1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Required before you can legally market a property for sale or rent. Valid for 10 years. Under MEES, your property must achieve at least an E rating before granting a new tenancy. Check your certificate on the official EPC register and book a new one if it is expiring or if you have made improvements.
2. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). Required annually under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The certificate must be given to tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants before they move in. Records must be retained for two years.
3. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Required every 5 years under the 2020 Electrical Safety Standards. A copy must be provided to tenants within 28 days. Any C1 or C2 defects must be remedied within 28 days.
4. PAT Testing. Not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended annually for furnished lets and HMOs. Demonstrates that portable appliances provided are safe under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
5. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Since October 2022, landlords must install a smoke alarm on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. Alarms must be tested and working on the first day of the tenancy.
6. How to Rent guide. You must give new tenants an up-to-date copy of the governments How to Rent guide at the start of the tenancy. Failing to do so can prevent you from using a Section 21 notice.
7. Right to Rent checks. You must verify that all adult tenants have the right to rent in the UK. This can be done via the governments online checking service or by checking physical documents.
8. Tenancy deposit protection. Any deposit taken must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt, and prescribed information must be given to the tenant.
The simplest way to stay on top of these duties is to book all your certificates through a single provider. At First Certify, we can arrange EPC, gas safety, EICR and PAT testing in combined visits, with automated reminders when renewals are due.
FAQs
What certificates must a landlord have in 2026?
Landlords must have a valid EPC (10 years), annual gas safety certificate (CP12), and an EICR every 5 years. PAT testing is recommended but not strictly mandatory. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are also legally required.
What happens if I miss a renewal?
Missing a renewal can result in fines, invalidated insurance, and in some cases an inability to legally let the property. For example, you cannot grant a new tenancy without a valid EPC rated E or above.
Can I book all my certificates in one visit?
Yes. First Certify can arrange EPC, gas safety, EICR and PAT testing in a single combined visit, reducing disruption to tenants and saving you time.
Related Services
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)PAT Testing