The 2026 landlord compliance checklist

Letting a property legally means a lot more than handing over keys. With more than 168 pieces of landlord legislation now in force, it is easy to miss something, and the penalties are not small. Use this checklist to make sure your Doncaster property is ready before a tenant moves in. This is a general guide, not legal advice, so check your specific circumstances.

Safety certificates

• Gas safety record (CP12). Required annually if there are any gas appliances, carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Give the tenant a copy.
• Electrical safety (EICR). A satisfactory report is required at least every five years, with any remedial work completed.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You must have a valid EPC meeting the current minimum rating before marketing the property.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Working smoke alarms on every storey and a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, tested at the start of the tenancy.

Documents to give the tenant

• The EPC, gas safety record and electrical report
• The government How to Rent guide (the current version)
• Deposit protection certificate and prescribed information
• A written tenancy agreement

Deposit and money

• Protect the deposit in a government approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it.
• Serve the prescribed information within the same window. Missing this can stop you using a Section 21 notice and may mean a penalty.

Checks before move in

• Right to rent. Verify and record every adult tenant's right to rent in England.
• Referencing. Credit checks, employment and previous landlord references.
• Inventory. A detailed, dated inventory with photos protects you at the end of the tenancy.

Licensing

Some properties need a licence, particularly Houses in Multiple Occupation, and Doncaster operates licensing in certain cases. Check whether selective or HMO licensing applies to your property and area before letting.

What is changing

The Renters Rights reforms are reshaping the sector, including changes to how tenancies and possession work. The detail continues to evolve, so it is worth staying close to a source that tracks it. We keep our managed landlords updated as the rules change, which is part of what our compliance service is for.