First-time landlord checklist (UK, 2026)
21 August 2026 · AgentCheck Editorial · 8 min read
In short: Becoming a landlord in 2026 means more than handing over keys. The Renters' Rights Act has changed how tenancies work, and the safety and compliance rules are strict. This checklist walks a first-time landlord through the essentials, from safety certificates and deposit protection to the new periodic tenancy world, so you start on the right foot.
The 2026 landscape has changed
If you are letting your first property this year, be aware that the ground has shifted. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and reshaped the private rented sector in England. Assured shorthold tenancies and fixed terms as most landlords knew them are gone, Section 21 no fault evictions have been abolished, and all new tenancies are periodic from the start. Any template or advice written before May 2026 may be out of date, so be careful what you copy.
With that in mind, here is what a first-time landlord needs to get right.
Before you let: safety and compliance
Gas safety
If the property has any gas appliances, you must arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer and give the tenant a copy of the record before they move in. This is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Electrical safety
You must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years and provide the tenant with a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report, known as an EICR. Any faults flagged as needing urgent attention must be put right.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
You need at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance such as a gas boiler or wood burner. Check they work at the start of the tenancy.
Energy performance
You must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate and give it to the tenant. The current minimum for letting is an EPC rating of E. Look ahead too, because the government has confirmed its intention through the Warm Homes Plan to raise the minimum to EPC C for private rentals by 2030, with a cost cap per property. Our EPC requirements for landlords guide covers where this is heading.
Getting the paperwork right
Right to Rent
In England you must check that every adult tenant has the right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts, and keep copies of the documents you checked. Skipping this can lead to penalties.
Deposit protection
If you take a deposit, you must protect it in a government approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and give the tenant the prescribed information about where it is held. The three schemes are the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the Deposit Protection Service and MyDeposits. Getting this wrong can cost you up to three times the deposit and can block possession later, so it is worth doing carefully. See our comparison of the deposit protection schemes to choose one.
Written information and tenancy terms
The old How to Rent guide was withdrawn on 1 May 2026, so it is no longer the document to hand over. For a tenancy starting now, you must give the tenant written information about the key terms before the tenancy is agreed. You will also need a written tenancy agreement that reflects the post Renters' Rights Act world, meaning a periodic tenancy rather than a fixed term assured shorthold tenancy. Using an out of date template is a common and avoidable mistake.
Understanding the new tenancy rules
Because fixed terms and Section 21 have gone, the way you start and end tenancies is different from the old model.
- Tenancies are periodic. They roll on a month to month basis rather than locking into a set term.
- No no fault evictions. To regain possession you rely on specific legal grounds, for example if you want to sell or move in, or where the tenant is in breach.
- Rent increases follow a set route. You can raise rent once a year using the prescribed process, and the tenant can challenge an increase they think is above market rate.
- Pets and other rights. The Act strengthens tenants' ability to request a pet, which you cannot unreasonably refuse.
Take time to understand this before you let, because it affects your exit options and your cash flow planning.
Practical setup for a smooth first tenancy
- Get an inventory. A detailed, photographed inventory at check in protects you at the end of the tenancy and makes any deposit dispute far easier to win.
- Sort landlord insurance. Standard home insurance will not cover a let. You need specialist landlord cover, and you may want rent guarantee protection.
- Check licensing. Some councils run selective or additional licensing schemes, and houses in multiple occupation have their own rules. Check with the local authority before you let.
- Tell the right people. If the property is mortgaged you need consent to let, and leaseholders should check the lease permits subletting.
- Plan for tax. Rental income is taxable and must be declared. Keep records of income and allowable expenses from day one.
Should you self manage or use an agent?
Many first-time landlords underestimate the time and knowledge involved. Self managing can work if you are local, organised and comfortable with the compliance load. But if the property is further away, or you would rather not field maintenance calls and keep track of shifting rules, a managing agent handles the day to day and helps keep you compliant.
The trade off is cost against convenience and risk. A good agent earns their fee by keeping you the right side of the law and keeping good tenants in place. For a fuller rundown of every legal duty, read our guide to landlord legal requirements in England.
Your first-time landlord checklist at a glance
- Gas safety certificate in place and shared
- EICR completed and shared
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and tested
- Valid EPC provided
- Right to Rent checks done and copied
- Deposit protected within 30 days plus prescribed information given
- Written information about the tenancy terms given before the tenancy is agreed
- Post Renters' Rights Act periodic tenancy agreement
- Detailed inventory completed
- Landlord insurance and any licensing sorted
Starting out is the hardest part, and the rules are stricter than they were even a year ago. If you would rather have an expert handle compliance and tenants from the start, compare letting agents on AgentCheck and find a local agent who fits how much you want to be hands on.
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