Landlord safety certificates: the 2026 checklist
Every certificate and check a private landlord in England needs, how often each one is due, and the deadlines that catch people out, in one place.
Published 11 November 2026 · By Positive Contractors, NICEIC Approved Contractor and Gas Safe registered
At a glance
| Check | How often and the deadlines |
|---|---|
| Electrical safety (EICR) | At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so. Copy to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to the council within 7 days if asked. Remedial work within 28 days. |
| Gas safety record (CP12) | Every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Copy to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in. Keep each record for 2 years. |
| Smoke alarms | At least one on every storey used as living accommodation, working at the start of each tenancy. |
| Carbon monoxide alarms | In every room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or log burner (gas cookers excluded). Repair or replace when a tenant reports a fault. |
| Energy Performance Certificate | A valid EPC given to tenants at the start of the tenancy. Most lets need a rating of E or above. |
| Legionella | Assess and control the risk from the water system, and review it when something changes. |
A summary for landlords in England, not legal advice. The official guidance is on GOV.UK and the HSE website.
Before a new tenancy starts
- Check the EICR is in date and covers the property as it is now
- Check the gas safety record is in date (or book a new check)
- Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm on the day the tenancy starts
- Give the tenant copies of the EICR, gas safety record and EPC
- Note meter readings and take dated photos of the condition
- Keep proof of what you handed over, and when
The EICR
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring: the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and lights. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require one at least every five years. Since late 2025 the same rules also apply to social landlords.
The result is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If it is unsatisfactory, the remedial or further investigative work must be done within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so), and you must then send the tenant and the council written confirmation that it is done. Councils can fine landlords up to £40,000 for breaches.
The codes on the report decide the outcome. Our guide to EICR codes C1, C2, C3 and FI explains what each one means.
The gas safety check
Every gas appliance, pipework and flue that you provide must be checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can have the check done up to two months before the due date and keep the original renewal date, which makes it easier to fit around tenants.
A safety check is not the same as a service. The check confirms the appliance is safe to use; servicing keeps it working well. Many landlords book both on the same visit.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
The regulations say where alarms must be, not what type, but sealed-for-life battery or mains-wired alarms with a battery backup are the practical choice. Test every alarm at the start of each tenancy and keep a dated record. If a tenant tells you an alarm is faulty, it must be repaired or replaced. More detail in our smoke and CO alarm guide.
Blocks, flats and HMOs
Shared parts of a building, such as hallways and stairs, need a fire risk assessment, and its actions completed: fire doors, emergency lighting, fire alarms and compartmentation. Houses in multiple occupation usually need a licence, and many councils run extra licensing schemes for other rented homes. Check with your council; licence applications normally ask for current electrical and gas certificates. See our guide to fire doors in flats and HMOs.
Keep your paperwork in one place
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 brings a national database of private landlords and properties, due from late 2026. Keeping every certificate, alarm test and repair record together, with dates, makes registration simple and protects you if a dispute ever reaches the new landlord ombudsman. Our Renters' Rights Act guide covers what is changing.
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Common questions
Can I do the EICR and gas safety check on the same visit?
Yes. We send an NICEIC-approved electrician and a Gas Safe engineer together where it makes sense, so the tenant only has to give access once.
Do I need a new EICR for every new tenant?
Not if the current report is less than five years old and does not say an earlier inspection is needed. You must give the new tenant a copy before they move in.
Who keeps the certificates, the landlord or the agent?
The legal duty sits with the landlord, but managing agents usually hold the documents. Either way, keep copies and proof of when tenants received them.
Do private landlords need PAT testing?
It is not a legal requirement for private landlords in England, but it is recommended for appliances you supply. Social landlords must have appliances they provide checked at least every five years.
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