April 10, 2026

Legal responsibilities of landlords explained

Landlords have a range of legal responsibilities which must be complied with if you rent out a property in the UK. There is a lot to stay on top of – but it doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.

Read on to learn more about a landlord’s legal obligations and the easiest way to make sure you are compliant:

Health hazards
Gas and electrical safety
Energy Performance Certificates
Tenancy deposits
Right to Rent
How to Rent Checklist
Renters Rights Act 2026
The easiest way to deal with all of the legal work

Please make sure to consult a lettings and property management professional if you are unsure of your obligations. Every property is different, and this article may not include everything you need to be aware of in your unique circumstances. You should do thorough research before completing a letting.

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Health hazards

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There are several basic health standards you must meet when letting a property. First is the need to provide working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You must also comply with relevant fire safety regulations if your property is in a purpose-built apartment block, or is a house or other property which has been adapted into apartments.

Your property must also be ‘fit for human habitation’. This duty is included in the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. A property might be unfit because of:

Disrepair
Damp and mould
Water or sanitation problems
Health and safety hazards

Hazards will be addressed by local authorities under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which identifies hazards. The Shelter website is a good source of more detailed information that landlords can use to ensure they are compliant.

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Gas and electrical safety

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You must provide valid gas and electrical safety certificates to tenants within 28 days of the tenancy starting for it to be legal. The certificates need renewing regularly as follows:

Gas – every 12 months
Electric – every five years.

All testing and certification must be carried out by a registered and appropriately qualified professional. Any defects found must be repaired as soon as possible.

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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

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Landlords also need to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to tenants when they move in. The EPC proves that the property meets the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards required by law.

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At present, your property needs to achieve at least an ‘E’ rating to be a legally rentable property. In the future, that rating may change, so make sure you check before starting a new tenancy. If your property does not reach the minimum rating, you will need to undertake works to bring it up to standard before you can let it.

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Tenancy deposits

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You have to secure your tenants’ deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme at the start of the tenancy:

Deposit Protection Service
MyDeposits
Tenancy Deposit Scheme

This is non-negotiable. The days of landlords holding deposits in their own personal accounts are long in the past, and if you don’t secure the deposit properly, you could face a fine of up to three times the deposit amount.

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When the tenancy ends, you will need to carry out an inspection and communicate with the Tenancy Deposit Service to return the money to your former renter, minus any agreed deductions.

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Right to Rent

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You cannot let a property to a tenant before you check their Right to Rent status. British and Irish citizens can prove this by using their passport. People of other nationalities will need to prove their immigration status.

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How to Rent Checklist

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This guide makes sure everyone involved knows their rights and responsibilities. You need to provide it to tenants as part of the letting process, and you can download it from the government website.

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Renters Rights Act 2026

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The Renters Rights Act is coming into force and contains a few legal changes landlords need to be aware of, including new rules for:

Evictions
Rent rises
Safety standards

And more. See the complete guide to the Act on the government website to get full information.

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The easiest way to get all your legal obligations taken care of

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Meeting your legal obligations as a landlord can be a lot of work, but there is an easy way to ensure everything is completed to the right standard and you are compliant with regulations.

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A professional lettings and management agent will take care of everything on your behalf, including arranging all administration and any repair work needed. For a small monthly fee, it makes being a landlord a completely hassle-free experience.

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Want to learn more? Contact our team today to discover how we can help you.

Arrange a call with our team today.

Contact us today regarding all property management and lettings enquires.

0161 388 7848

contact@northbankresidential.com

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