England Required Landlord Disclosures & Compliance Documents
Review all mandatory documents English landlords must provide, including the How to Rent guide, EPC, Gas Safety, and EICR certificates.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
England Required Landlord Disclosures
Building upon the foundational disclosure requirements of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (which commenced on 30 October 1985), the Renters' Rights Act 2025 establishes a rigorous compliance framework for the private rented sector. While the Renters' Rights Act, effective from 1 May 2026, abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, failure to provide mandatory documents remains a serious offence actionable under the Act's enhanced penalty regime.
Mandatory Compliance Documents
1. Landlord Identity and Service Address
Under Section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, tenants have a legal right to request the landlord's name and address. If requested in writing, the landlord (or their agent) must provide this within 21 days. Furthermore, Section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 requires landlords to provide tenants with an address in England or Wales where notices may be served. Rent is not legally due until this information is provided.
2. The "How to Rent" Guide
Pursuant to Section 33 of the Deregulation Act 2015, landlords must provide the latest version of the government's "How to Rent: the checklist for renting in England" booklet at the start of every new tenancy. This must be the edition current at the time of service and can be provided as a hard copy or via email (if the tenant has consented to electronic service).
3. Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet
By 31 May 2026, all private landlords with existing tenancies created before 1 May 2026 must provide their tenants with the official Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.
- It must be the exact PDF published by the Government; providing a hyperlink is insufficient for valid service.
- This requirement ensures all tenants are informed of their new rights following the 1 May 2026 reform.
- Failure to provide this sheet by the deadline can result in civil penalties of up to £7,000, rising to £40,000 for serious or repeated offences under the new enforcement powers.
4. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
In accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, every rental property must have a valid EPC. Under the MEES Regulations 2015, the property must have a rating of E or above. The certificate must be provided to the tenant free of charge before the tenancy begins.
5. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
If the property has gas appliances, the landlord must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. This requires an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A copy of the current Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be provided to the tenant within 28 days of the check, and before the tenant moves in for new tenancies.
6. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must ensure electrical installations are inspected every 5 years. A copy of the EICR must be provided to new tenants before they move in and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
7. Tenancy Deposit Prescribed Information
If a deposit is taken, the landlord must protect it in a government-authorised scheme and provide the tenant with prescribed information (as required by Section 213 of the Housing Act 2004) within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
8. Right to Rent Checks
Under Section 22 of the Immigration Act 2014, landlords must conduct Right to Rent checks on all adult occupants before the tenancy starts to verify their legal right to live in the UK.
[!CAUTION] Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, local authorities have enhanced enforcement powers. Landlords who fail to comply with disclosure obligations face fines of up to £7,000 for initial breaches, rising to £40,000 for repeated or serious offences.
Centralise Your Compliance Documents
Tracking annual Gas Safety renewals, 5-year EICR cycles, and EPC validity across a property portfolio is a logistical nightmare. Landager centralises every compliance certificate, automatically flags upcoming renewal deadlines, and ensures the correct version of the "How to Rent" guide is always attached.
Sources & Official References
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Section 1)
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (Section 48)
- Deregulation Act 2015 (Section 33)
- Renters' Rights Act 2025
- The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
- The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What disclosures must landlords provide to tenants in England?
England mandates extensive landlord disclosures including the government-issued 'How to Rent' guide, a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a minimum E rating, a Gas Safety Certificate (renewed annually), an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet (required by 31 May 2026). From 1 May 2026, landlords must also disclose whether the property is covered by Good Cause Eviction provisions.
▶What are the key landlord-tenant laws in England for 2026?
England's private rented sector has been fundamentally reshaped by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. The Act abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions from 1 May 2026, ends fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (all ASTs automatically convert to assured periodic tenancies), standardises rent increases to Section 13 notices only, and introduces a right for tenants to request pets, a Private Landlord Ombudsman, and a mandatory PRS Database.
Read the complete guide▶What are the Section 21 eviction notice rules for landlords in England?
Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are abolished from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords can serve Section 21 notices until 30 April 2026, and court proceedings based on those notices can continue until 31 July 2026. After that date, all new possession claims must use reformed Section 8 grounds, which require a legally specified reason such as rent arrears, landlord intends to sell, or landlord intends to move in.
Read the complete guide▶What is the security deposit limit for landlords in England?
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, security deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent for properties with an annual rent under £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent for higher-value properties. All deposits must be protected within 30 days in a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) scheme — either TDS, DPS, or MyDeposits. Failure to protect the deposit invalidates possession proceedings and can result in penalties of 1-3 times the deposit amount.
Read the complete guide▶How often can a landlord raise rent in England?
From 1 May 2026, the Section 13 notice becomes the only lawful method for landlords to increase rent — contractual rent review clauses will no longer be valid. Rent can only be increased once every 12 months, with a minimum of 2 months' written notice via Form 4 (or new Form 4A). Tenants retain the right to challenge increases at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which can set the rent to the market rate.
Read the complete guide▶What are landlord maintenance obligations in England?
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords must maintain the structure and exterior, keep heating, water, gas, and electrical installations in proper working order, and ensure the property is fit for habitation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 adds enhanced enforcement powers including fines up to £7,000 for initial breaches and £40,000 for repeated or serious housing standard violations.
Read the complete guide▶What are the new tenant rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2025?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces major new tenant protections effective 1 May 2026: the right to request pets (landlords can only refuse with good reason), a cap of 1 month's rent in advance (preventing landlords from circumventing deposit limits), a free Private Landlord Ombudsman complaints service, a mandatory national PRS Database of landlords and properties, and enhanced penalty powers for local authorities.
Read the complete guide▶What are the late rent fee rules for landlords in England?
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords in England can only charge interest on late rent (not a flat fee) at a rate no higher than 3% above the Bank of England base rate. This interest can only be charged after rent has been outstanding for 14 days. Any other charges or penalties for late payment are prohibited as they constitute banned tenant fees under the Act.
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