What happens if I skip a compliance step before letting?

Depending on the step, you risk fines of up to 30,000 pounds, a civil penalty, or in the worst cases criminal prosecution. Just as importantly, since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026, an unprotected deposit or missing prescribed information can block you from relying on Section 8 possession grounds later, so a paperwork slip at the start can cost you the property back.

Which documents must a landlord give before the tenant moves in?

Before the tenancy starts you must provide the written statement of terms, the current How to Rent guide, the Gas Safety Certificate, the EICR electrical report and the Energy Performance Certificate. Once a deposit is taken you must also serve the prescribed information within 30 days.

How much deposit can I take in 2026?

The deposit is capped at five weeks' rent, or six weeks' rent if the annual rent is 50,000 pounds or more. It must be protected in a government-authorised scheme within 30 days, and you can take no more than one month's rent in advance.

Do I need to register on the PRS Database yet?

Not yet. The Private Rented Sector Database and the new Ombudsman scheme are being introduced later and are not required to let a property today. Registration will become mandatory once they launch, so keep your certificates and property details ready to upload.

The landlord compliance checklist for 2026: 18 things to do before your tenant moves in

Updated July 2026 · Applies to England · 7 minute read

Since the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, getting compliance right before a tenant moves in matters more than ever. With Section 21 abolished, the paperwork you skip at the start is often the same paperwork that later stops you getting your property back - an unprotected deposit or a missing written statement of terms can block a Section 8 possession claim months down the line. This checklist covers the 18 things to sort before the keys change hands, grouped into paperwork, safety, money, and handover.

Paperwork and checks (1-4)

Run a Right to Rent check. You must confirm every adult occupier has the right to rent before the tenancy starts, using original documents, the Home Office online service, or a certified digital provider. Get it wrong and the civil penalty is up to £10,000 per tenant for a first breach - and knowingly letting to someone without the right is a criminal offence.
Prepare a written tenancy agreement. Every new letting is now an assured periodic tenancy, so pre-2026 fixed-term templates are obsolete. Use an up-to-date agreement that reflects the current rules.
Give the written statement of terms. This is the new document the Act requires you to hand over before the tenancy begins. Skipping it risks a penalty of up to £7,000. Our full guide explains what it must contain.
Hand over the current How to Rent guide. Serve the latest version from GOV.UK before move-in. An out-of-date edition does not count.

Safety certificates and alarms (5-11)

Valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). An annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with a copy given to the tenant within 28 days and before they move in.
Electrical safety report (EICR). Renewed at least every five years by a qualified electrician, with any Code 1 or Code 2 faults fixed within 28 days.
Energy Performance Certificate. Rated E or above to let legally today, valid for ten years. Note the direction of travel: a C rating is expected to be required by 2030.
Smoke alarms on every storey that has a living space, tested and working on the day the tenancy starts.
Carbon monoxide alarms in every room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or a solid-fuel fire, also tested at the start.
Legionella risk assessment. A straightforward assessment of the water system that most landlords can carry out themselves and record.
Fire-safe furniture. Any upholstered furniture you provide must meet the fire safety regulations and carry the correct labels.

Money and the deposit (12-15)

Keep the deposit within the cap. Five weeks' rent, or six weeks if the annual rent is £50,000 or more. Anything above that is unlawful.
Protect the deposit within 30 days in a government-authorised scheme. Miss the window and you face a penalty of up to three times the deposit.
Serve the prescribed information within the same 30 days - the scheme details, the amount held, and how disputes are handled. Our deposit rules guide covers the traps.
Do not take more than one month's rent in advance, and take nothing at all before the agreement is signed. The Act caps upfront rent, and breaching it risks a penalty of up to £5,000.

Condition and handover (16-18)

Make sure the property is safe and free of serious hazards. It must be fit for habitation from day one, with disrepair and damp dealt with before, not after, the tenant arrives.
Complete an inventory and check-in. Dated photographs and a signed inventory are your best evidence if you later need to justify a deduction at the end of the tenancy.
Give the tenant copies of every certificate - gas, electrical and EPC - and keep proof of what you served and when. That proof is what protects your position if anything is ever disputed.

Coming later in 2026 and beyond: the Private Rented Sector Database and a new PRS Ombudsman scheme. Both will eventually be mandatory, and you will not be able to let legally without registering. They are not required to move a tenant in today, but keep your certificates and property details organised so you can register quickly once they launch.

The four certificates at a glance

Certificate	How often	Give to tenant?
Gas Safety (CP12)	Every 12 months	Yes - within 28 days and before move-in
Electrical (EICR)	At least every 5 years	Yes - before the tenancy starts
EPC (min. E)	Valid 10 years	Yes - before the tenancy starts
Legionella assessment	Review periodically	Keep on record, share on request

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Frequently asked questions

Do these rules apply to my existing tenants? Many do. From 1 May 2026 older tenancies converted to assured periodic tenancies, and the deposit, safety and rent-in-advance rules apply across the board. If you are planning a lawful rent rise on an existing let, see our Section 13 guide.

Which single mistake causes the most trouble? Deposit protection. An unprotected deposit or missing prescribed information does not just risk a penalty - it can stop you using most Section 8 grounds until it is put right.

Are there rules on who I can refuse? Yes. Blanket bans on tenants with children, on benefits, or with pets are now unlawful or void - our clauses guide explains what you can and cannot write.

What about tax once they move in? If you are a landlord earning rental income, Making Tax Digital may already apply to you. See our MTD for landlords guide.

This guide is general information for landlords in England, not legal advice for your specific circumstances. Always check the current prescribed forms and guidance on GOV.UK before letting a property.