What Certificates Does a Landlord Need?
A practical guide to landlord certificates and property compliance in England
If you're renting out a property in England, there are a number of safety checks, certificates and documents you need to keep up to date.
The exact requirements can vary depending on the type of property and how it is being let, but staying on top of your compliance responsibilities is an essential part of being a landlord.
Here are some of the key certificates and checks landlords should be aware of.
1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information about the energy efficiency of a property and gives it an energy rating from A to G.
If you're renting out a property, you generally need a valid EPC and should have one in place before marketing the property to let. An EPC is normally valid for 10 years, although you should check that it remains valid when you come to let the property.
There are some exemptions, so if you're unsure whether your property needs an EPC, it's worth checking the current government guidance.
Landlord tip: Keep a copy of the EPC with your property records and check its expiry date before marketing the property.
2. Gas Safety Certificate
If your property has gas appliances, you have important responsibilities around gas safety.
A Gas Safety Check must be carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
You must also provide your tenant with a copy of the gas safety record in accordance with the applicable requirements.
This applies to gas appliances and flues that you provide as part of the tenancy.
Landlord tip: Don't wait until a tenant is due to move in before checking when the gas safety certificate expires. Keep a record of the renewal date and arrange the inspection in advance.
3. Electrical Safety Certificate — EICR
Landlords must have the electrical installation in their property inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations.
The inspection produces an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The landlord must provide the required copies of the report to the tenant and, where required, the local authority.
If remedial work is identified, it needs to be dealt with within the applicable timescales.
Landlord tip: Keep track of the EICR expiry date and make sure any required remedial work is properly completed and documented.
4. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
These aren't certificates, but they're an important part of your property's safety requirements.
Landlords have responsibilities around providing and testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. The requirements depend on the property and the appliances installed, so it's important to check the current regulations that apply to your property.
For example, GOV.UK guidance states that landlords must fit and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms where required.
Landlord tip: Keep a record of your alarm checks and make sure you know which alarms are required at your property.
5. Tenancy deposit protection
Again, this isn't technically a certificate, but it's an important part of landlord compliance.
Where the tenancy deposit protection rules apply, a landlord must protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme and follow the required procedures. GOV.UK guidance states that for applicable assured periodic tenancies, the deposit must be protected and the landlord or agent must protect it within 30 days of receiving it.
The three government-approved schemes are:
Deposit Protection Service
MyDeposits
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
Make sure you understand the requirements that apply to your particular tenancy.
6. Right to Rent checks
If you're renting out a property in England, you must check that your prospective tenant has the right to rent before the tenancy begins.
The way the check is carried out depends on the tenant's circumstances and the documents or online status they have.
It's important to carry out the correct check and keep the appropriate evidence.
7. Other requirements landlords may need to consider
Certificates aren't the only part of landlord compliance.
Depending on your property and circumstances, you may also need to consider:
HMO or other property licensing
fire safety requirements
furniture and furnishings safety
tenancy deposit requirements
tenant information and documentation
property inspections
repairs and maintenance
Right to Rent checks
planning or local authority requirements
If your property is a HMO, converted property or has specific characteristics, additional requirements may apply.
Landlord compliance checklist
It can be useful to keep a simple record for each property:
CheckWhat to keep track ofEPCRating and expiry dateGas safetyAnnual inspection and recordEICRFive-year inspection and any remedial workSmoke alarmsRequired alarms and checksCarbon monoxide alarmsWhere required and checksDepositScheme and protection dateRight to RentChecks and evidenceProperty licenceWhether one is required and expiryTenancy documentsCurrent and up to date
Keeping everything together makes it much easier to see what needs renewing and when.
Managing compliance can be time-consuming
Being a landlord isn't just about finding a tenant and collecting rent.
There are ongoing responsibilities around safety, maintenance, inspections, paperwork and changing legislation.
That's one of the reasons some landlords choose to use a professional property management service.
At Well Placed & Co, we provide personal, proactive property management for landlords in Market Harborough and the surrounding areas, helping with the day-to-day management of rental properties and keeping on top of the details that can otherwise be easy to miss.
[Find out more about our property management services →]
Important information
This guide is intended as general information for landlords in England and is not legal advice. Requirements can vary depending on the property and circumstances, and legislation and government guidance can change.
Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance or obtain independent professional advice where appropriate.
Last reviewed: September 2026
