London Landlord Compliance Checklist 2026: Every Certificate You Need
Staying compliant as a London landlord means keeping track of multiple certificates, each with its own renewal cycle, legal basis and consequence for non-compliance. This checklist covers everything you need in 2026.
Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — annual, mandatory
Legal basis: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 Renewal: Every 12 months Who carries it out: Gas Safe registered engineer Cost: from £60 Consequence of non-compliance: Voided insurance, fines, Section 21 restrictions, potential criminal prosecution What's inspected: Every gas appliance, flue, pipework and meter in the property
A Gas Safety Certificate is required for every rental property that has any gas supply — even if tenants say they don't use the gas hob or there are no gas appliances, the pipework must be checked. You must give a copy to your tenant within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in.
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) — every 5 years, mandatory
Legal basis: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 Renewal: At least every 5 years (every 3 years for many HMOs) Who carries it out: NICEIC/NAPIT certified electrician Cost: from £77.99 (studio) Consequence of non-compliance: Fines up to £30,000, voided insurance, Section 21 restrictions What's inspected: Consumer unit, all circuits, sockets, switches, earthing and bonding
If the report is unsatisfactory (C1 or C2 faults), you have 28 days to complete remedial work. You must provide tenants with a copy within 28 days and notify your local authority within 28 days if requested.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) — every 10 years, mandatory to let
Legal basis: Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 Renewal: Every 10 years (but must be valid to let the property) Who carries it out: Accredited domestic energy assessor (DEA) Cost: from £99.99 Consequence of non-compliance: Cannot legally let or advertise the property on Rightmove/Zoopla; fines of up to £5,000 Current minimum rating: EPC E or above (properties rated F or G cannot legally be let)
An EPC is lodged on the national register and is valid for 10 years — but if the property changes significantly (e.g., new windows, insulation, boiler), getting a new one is advisable to reflect the improvement and potentially unlock better financing.
Fire Risk Assessment — mandatory for HMOs, strongly recommended for all
Legal basis: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (mandatory for HMOs and houses with 3+ storeys) Renewal: Reviewed annually; full reassessment after any structural changes Who carries it out: Qualified fire risk assessor Cost: from £84 (studio/single property) Consequence of non-compliance: HMO licence blocked or revoked; enforcement action; unlimited fines; prosecution
For all HMOs and converted blocks, a documented fire risk assessment is a hard requirement for HMO licensing and property management. For single-let properties it's not strictly mandatory under the Fire Safety Order, but it is strongly recommended and may be required by your insurer.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms — required in every room
Legal basis: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 Requirements: - Smoke alarm on every storey where there is a room used as living accommodation - Carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (boiler, gas fire, open fire) - Alarms must be tested and working at the start of every new tenancy
Cost: from £65 (installation, test and certificate for up to 3 alarms)
Landlords are responsible for ensuring alarms are installed; tenants are responsible for testing them regularly. If a local authority issues a remedial notice and you don't comply within 28 days, they can arrange installation at your cost (up to £5,000 cap).
PAT Testing — mandatory for furnished properties
Legal basis: Landlords and Tenants Act 1985; Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 Renewal: Annually recommended for high-use items; every 2–4 years for fixed appliances Who carries it out: Competent person (PAT tester) Cost: from £44.99 (up to 10 appliances)
PAT testing is required for all portable electrical appliances you supply as part of a furnished let — white goods, lamps, TVs, kettles, toasters, etc. While there's no prescribed renewal frequency in law, "maintaining appliances in a safe condition" is the legal standard, and annual testing is widely accepted as meeting this.
What about boiler servicing?
Annual boiler servicing isn't strictly mandated by a specific landlord regulation, but most boiler warranties require it, and it significantly reduces the chance of a mid-tenancy breakdown. It also provides a documented maintenance record that supports your position if a tenant makes a disrepair claim.
We offer a full boiler service from £79.99 and frequently combine it with the annual gas safety check in a single visit.
HMO-specific requirements
HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) face additional requirements beyond those above:
- EICR every 3 years (not 5)
- Fire Risk Assessment is mandatory
- Fire alarm system (BS 5839) depending on size and category of HMO
- Emergency lighting in communal areas (BS 5266) for larger HMOs
- Annual gas safety (same as standard lets)
HMO licensing also imposes specific physical requirements (room sizes, facilities) that vary by local authority. If you're unsure whether your property qualifies as an HMO, the test is whether three or more unrelated people share a kitchen or bathroom.
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