Why tightening up now makes financial sense
Fines for non-compliance do not disappear quietly. A single civil penalty for failing to protect a deposit or skipping a gas safety check can run into thousands of pounds, and local councils are increasingly active. Landlords who treat compliance as a rolling task rather than a last-minute scramble tend to keep better tenants, avoid voids caused by enforcement action, and face fewer disputes at the end of a tenancy. Work through each section below and note anything that needs attention.
Section 1: The Renters' Rights Act
The Renters' Rights Act abolished fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies from 1 May 2026. If you have issued any fixed-term AST since that date, the agreement will be treated in law as a periodic tenancy regardless of what the paperwork says. Check every tenancy agreement signed on or after 1 May and make sure your template has been updated.
The Act also required landlords to send the government's prescribed Information Sheet to all existing tenants by 31 May 2026. If you have not done this, send it now and keep a record of delivery. Email with a read receipt or recorded post both work.
Possession has changed. The Section 21 'no fault' route is gone. All possession claims now go through Section 8, using specific grounds. Some grounds are mandatory (the court must grant possession if proved), and others are discretionary. Make sure you understand which ground applies to your situation and what evidence you need. Ground 1A (landlord wishing to sell) and Ground 6A (significant rent arrears) each carry distinct notice periods and evidential requirements. Speak to a solicitor before serving any notice if you are uncertain.
Rent increases must follow the Section 13 process: a prescribed notice, a minimum notice period, and the tenant's right to challenge the increase at the First-tier Tribunal. You cannot use a contractual rent review clause instead. Check that your process matches the statutory route.
Section 2: Energy Performance Certificates
All rented properties in England must hold a valid EPC rated E or above. The government updated the assessment methodology in October 2026, which means some properties that previously held a D or E rating may score differently under the new calculation. If your EPC was issued before October 2026 and is coming up for renewal, commission a new assessment under the updated methodology so you have an accurate baseline.
The proposed minimum standard of EPC C for new tenancies is expected by 2030. That deadline sounds distant, but retrofit work takes time to plan and procure. Start by getting an up-to-date EPC with an improvement report, which will list recommended measures and estimated costs. Then build a simple timeline: which properties need the most work, what is the likely cost, and which financial year do you want to spread the expenditure across.
If your property has a gas boiler, look at the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which currently offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards an air source heat pump. Eligibility depends on the property having a valid EPC with no outstanding cavity wall or loft insulation recommendations. Ask our team if you would like a referral to a qualified installer who can assess suitability.
Section 3: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) is being rolled out by turnover threshold. If your gross property income exceeds £50,000, you are likely already in scope. The £30,000 threshold follows. Check your figures against current HMRC guidance, because the dates and thresholds have shifted more than once.
If MTD applies to you, you must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software. A spreadsheet linked to a bridging tool counts, but dedicated landlord accounting software (such as Hammock, Xero, or QuickBooks with a landlord add-on) is simpler to manage. If you use an accountant, confirm they are set up for MTD submissions on your behalf.
Section 4: Records and safety certificates
Work through this list for every property you let:
- Gas Safety Certificate: required every 12 months from a Gas Safe registered engineer. Give the tenant a copy within 28 days of the check.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): required every five years. Any Category 2 or Category 1 issues must be remedied within 28 days.
- Smoke alarms: at least one on every storey used as living accommodation, tested on the first day of each tenancy.
- Carbon monoxide alarms: required in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (including gas boilers, not just solid fuel).
- Deposit protection: protect in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt and serve the prescribed information on the tenant.
- Right to rent: check the immigration status of all adult occupiers before the tenancy starts. Keep copies of documents or use the online Home Office checking service for tenants with a share code.
Practical takeaway
Print this checklist, work through it property by property, and log the date each item was completed or reviewed. Set calendar reminders for renewals: gas certificates, EICRs, and EPCs all have fixed expiry points. Landlords who keep tidy records spend less time firefighting and more time running a profitable portfolio. If anything on this list raises a question, speak to your solicitor for legal matters or ask our lettings team for practical guidance on the day-to-day side.
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