EPC requirements, electrical certificates, gas safety, deposit protection and the Renters' Rights Act - a plain-English compliance guide for local landlords.
Being a residential landlord in England in 2026 has never involved more regulatory compliance. This guide, written for landlords operating in East London and Essex, sets out the key requirements you must meet before letting a property. Energy Performance Certificate: your property must achieve at least an E rating; the proposed increase to C for new tenancies from 2028 means early action is advisable. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): required every five years and before a new tenancy if the previous one has expired. Gas Safety Record: annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer; a copy must be provided to the tenant before they move in. Deposit protection: the deposit must be registered with a government-backed scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS) within 30 days of receipt and the prescribed information provided to the tenant. The Renters' Rights Act, currently working through Parliament as at early 2026, proposes abolishing fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies in favour of rolling periodic tenancies, with new grounds for possession that landlords must understand. We recommend speaking to our lettings team to ensure your portfolio is fully compliant.
Grace Okafor
Head of Lettings & Property Management
Specialisms: Residential lettings, Full property management, Landlord compliance, Tenancy legislation
