Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026

Your 2026 compliance checklist: Less guesswork. More confidence.

The private rental sector is changing. Higher property standards and clearer tenancy rules are reshaping landlord responsibilities.

2025-2026 brought significant change to landlord regulation. From the Renters’ Rights Act and Awaab’s Law to Making Tax Digital. While there’s more compliance to manage, there is also more opportunity for well-managed properties to attract and retain high-quality, long-term tenants.

This straightforward checklist covers the key areas every landlord should be reviewing in 2026.

Renters’ Rights Act: Landlord responsibilities.

The Renters’ Rights Act aims to make renting more secure and stable for tenants while providing clearer rules for landlords to follow. Phase 1 of the Act came into effect on May 1st.

Our Maidenhead Lettings Partner, Lloyd Richardson says, ‘The lettings landscape has undoubtedly changed following the introduction of the Renters' Rights legislation. However, providing you are a proactive landlord, genuinely care about your tenants, remain compliant, and have a strong letting agent supporting you, there are still significant benefits to being a landlord. Demand remains strong, and with the right advice and management, property continues to be an attractive long-term investment.’

Key changes:

• Section 21 has been abolished and replaced with a structured Section 8 process.
• Section 8 has expanded grounds for possession, such as landlords being able to take back possession to sell or to move in.
• Periodic tenancies are now default.
• Landlords must register on the PRS Database
• Rent increases are limited to once a year and must be issued with two months’ notice via a Section 13 notice.

The upcoming Renters’ Rights timeline:

• 31st July 2026 – Pending notices backstop: Old Section 21 notices and Section 8 notices must hit court by this date or lapse.
• Late 2026 – Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database launch: Landlords will be required to register themselves, their properties and key compliance information.
• Late 2026 – Landlord Ombudsman: Landlords will be required to join the new redress scheme, providing tenants with an independent route to resolve complaints.
• Late 2028 – Mandatory rental property registration: Before letting or advertising a property, landlords will need to ensure registration requirements have been met.
• 1 October 2030 – Proposed EPC C requirement: The Government is proposing a minimum EPC rating of C for rental properties. Landlords may wish to review their property's rating and identify any improvements required.
• 2035 – Decent Homes Standard: The Government intends to extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, introducing minimum requirements around property condition, repair, facilities and freedom from hazards such as damp and mould.

Last updated: 15/06/2026

For more information on the Renters’ Rights, we’ve created a breakdown with all the key points from the legislation.

Awaab’s Law: Improving property standards.

After the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged mould exposure, Awaab’s Law was introduced to create strict timescales for social landlords to investigate and resolve hazards such as damp, mould and emergency safety issues.

The legislation is expected to extend to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) later this year as part of the Renters' Rights Act.

Awaab’s Law states that social landlords:

• Respond to emergency hazards within 24 hours.
• Investigate significant damp and mould issues within 10 working days and make them safe within 5 working days.
• Provide tenants with a written update within 3 working days of the investigation.
• Keep tenants informed throughout the repair process.

Failure to address serious hazards could lead to enforcement action, fines, compensation claims and prosecution in severe cases.

The government is moving to extend Awaab’s Law in the future by covering a wider range of housing hazards, such as fire risks, hygiene and sanitation issues and better energy efficiency.

Even before the legislation applies to the PRS, now is the time to take a proactive approach to property maintenance by:

• Booking an inspection to identify any health or safety issues.
• Checking you have a reliable network of qualified contractors available.
• Ensuring your record-keeping is up to scratch. Log inspections, repairs and tenant communications, and keep digital and physical copies of key compliance documents.

Making Tax Digital for landlords: A new way of reporting.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is HMRC's move towards digital tax reporting. Instead of submitting one annual Self-Assessment tax return, landlords will need to keep digital records and provide regular updates five times a year to HMRC.

To help you understand the changes, we’ve partnered with Hammock, a HMRC-recognised landlord accounting software provider. Please reach out to your local Prospect office to find out more.

What are the requirements?

For those affected, HMRC requires quarterly updates, followed by a final declaration, confirming total income, expenses, and tax position for the year (replacing the previous Self-Assessment return). The key submission dates are:

• Quarter 1 (6 April - 5 July): 7 August deadline
• Quarter 2 (6 July - 5 October): 7 November deadline
• Quarter 3 (6 October - 5 January): 7 February deadline
• Quarter 4 (6 January - 5 April): 7 May deadline
• Final declaration for the year: 31st January deadline

Who does it affect?

From April 2026, landlords with gross rental or self-employed income of £50,000 or more will need to comply.

From April 2027, this falls to £30,000 or more.

From April 2028, it falls again to £20,000 or more.

Last updated: 15/06/2026

Limited company landlords are not currently affected and will continue to pay Corporation Tax as normal. If you're affected by Making Tax Digital, you'll need to keep digital records of your rental income and expenses so you can submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Find out more about switch here.

If you're unsure whether Making Tax Digital applies to you, it's worth speaking to an accountant or tax adviser who can explain what the changes mean for your circumstances.

EPC Check: Is your property ready for C?

By 2030, the Government is planning to make C the minimum EPC rating for rental properties. Now is the time to prepare. Going from a band E to a C could cost anywhere from £3,000 to £10,000.

Before you invest, it’s worth booking an updated EPC assessment to help identify which improvements are likely to have the biggest impact. Going from single glazing to triple could make a substantial improvement, but going from double glazing to triple might not be worth the investment, for example.

Energy-efficient properties are cheaper to run, which can increase tenant demand and support higher rental values. Landlords who prepare for improvements now are likely to have more options and lower costs than those who leave it until the last minute.

Compliance without the chaos.

With the Renters’ Rights Act now in effect, many landlords have turned to us for professional management to save time, reduce hassle and ensure their properties are well-maintained.

Use this checklist below to assess whether your property management approach is positioned for success:

Compliance essentials

Before anything else, make sure you have the following in place. A letting agent can ensure you’re fully compliant with the below:

• ☐ EPC Certificate
  A valid Energy Performance Certificate with a minimum E rating. A certificate is valid for 10 years from the date it was issued.


• ☐ Gas Safety Certificate
  Gas safety checks must be carried out every year.


• ☐ Electrical Safety Certificate (EICR)
  Electrical inspection carried out every five years.


• ☐ Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  Correct alarms installed and tested before a tenancy starts.


• ☐ Deposit protection
  Tenant deposits protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.


• ☐ Right to Rent checks
  Check that all adult tenants have the legal right to rent in England.


• ☐ Tenancy documents
  Provide tenants with the required paperwork, including the tenancy agreement and a How to Rent guide.


• ☐ Property licensing
  Check whether your property requires a licence from your local authority.

Property standards & maintenance

As expectations around property standards continue to rise, landlords or letting agents must ensure clear processes for identifying issues, responding to repairs and maintaining accurate records.

• ☐ Damp and mould checks
  Investigate and resolve issues before they become bigger problems.


• ☐ Maintenance records
  Keep records of repairs, inspections and contractor visits.


• ☐ Regular property inspections
  Inspect your property regularly to identify issues early.


• ☐ Emergency contractor contacts
  Have trusted contractors available for urgent repairs.


• ☐ Inventory and check-in report
  Create a clear record of the property's condition at the start of the tenancy.

Renters' Rights Act checklist

The Renters' Rights Act is the biggest shake-up to the private rented sector in decades. Checking that you’re meeting the new requirements will reduce risk and avoid costly mistakes.

• ☐ Section 8 process
  Understand the updated grounds for regaining possession.


• ☐ Periodic tenancies
  Ensure your tenancy processes reflect the new rules.


• ☐ Rent increases
  Rent can only be increased once a year using the correct process.


• ☐ PRS Database registration
  Register your property when the database becomes available.


• ☐ Landlord Ombudsman
  Prepare for membership of the new redress scheme.


• ☐ Pet requests
  Have a process in place for considering tenant requests to keep pets.

Financial compliance

Keeping accurate records can save time and help landlords manage their property more effectively.

• ☐ Income records
  Keep accurate records of rental income.


• ☐ Expense records
  Track maintenance costs, insurance, agent fees and other expenses.


• ☐ Making Tax Digital
  Check whether the new reporting requirements apply to you.


• ☐ Quarterly reporting
  Be prepared to submit regular updates to HMRC if required.

Last updated: 15/06/2026

The cost of getting it wrong.

Getting compliance wrong could lead to lost rent, possession delays, compensation claims and costly disputes. The increase in over 150 pieces of legislation means even experienced landlords can find it difficult to keep track of every requirement. It’s easy to miss a certificate renewal date, get behind on yearly rent reviews or keep incomplete records.

Good property management isn't just about compliance. It's about having the right systems in place so you’re fully prepared and able to react quickly to any updates. That's where professional management can make a difference.

Compliance done properly.

We save landlords time, stress and hassle while maximising their returns. Our proactive management services cover property inspections, maintenance, rent collection and compliance as well as annual rent and property valuation reviews. With our Managed Service, you’ll also benefit from a dedicated Property Manager who will quickly resolve issues, protect your investment and ensure nothing is overlooked.

There are over 3,500 properties under our management with 99% of landlords choosing to stick with us.

Whether you're reviewing your compliance obligations or planning for EPC improvements, our team is here whenever you need us. Get in touch with your local Prospect branch to chat about the changes and how they apply to you.

If you haven’t had your property valued in over a year, it’s worth booking a new lettings valuation to check you’re setting the right rent and getting the most out of your investment.

Book a free rental valuation

Frequently asked questions.

Does Awaab's Law apply to private landlords?

Awaab's Law currently applies to social housing providers, but the Government intends to extend it to the private rental sector through the Renters' Rights Act. All landlords should take a proactive approach to identifying and resolving damp, mould and other health hazards before the legislation is introduced.

What is the minimum EPC rating for a rental property?

Rental properties currently require a minimum EPC rating of E. Landlords who fail to meet the minimum standard may face enforcement action from their local authority. By 2030, the minimum rating will increase to C.

What records should landlords keep?

Landlords should keep records of rental income, expenses, inspections, repairs, safety certificates, tenancy agreements and tenant communications. Accurate record-keeping can make resolving disputes easier and prevent you from missing deadlines.

How often should landlords inspect their property?

There is no legal requirement to carry out an inspection, but we strongly recommend landlords inspect their property every three to six months. Regular inspections can help identify maintenance issues early and provide peace of mind that your property is being looked after.

What is the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database?

The Private Rented Sector Database is a new requirement under the Renters' Rights Act. Landlords will need to register details about themselves and their properties, helping to demonstrate compliance and provide greater transparency across the rental sector.

What are the benefits of professional property management?

A professional managing agent can oversee inspections, maintenance, compliance, rent collection and tenant communication on your behalf. They protect your investment as well as your time, leaving you free to focus on other priorities.