Guides
Landlord rules, in plain English
Dated, sourced and kept up to date. Last checked 16 Oct 2026.
EPC C by 2030: what landlords must do
Private rented homes in England and Wales must reach the equivalent of EPC C by 1 October 2030. The deadline, the £10,000 cap, exemptions, fines and a planning order.
The Private Rented Sector Database: a landlord guide
Landlord registration in England opens on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands. Dates by region, the £65 per property fee, what you need ready and the penalties.
West Midlands landlord registration: first in England
West Midlands landlords are first to register on the Private Rented Sector Database, from 15 December 2026 to 14 March 2027. Which councils, the window and a checklist.
Renters' Rights Act: what changed on 1 May 2026 and what comes next
Section 21 ended on 1 May 2026. All tenancies are now periodic, rent rises follow section 13, and more changes follow: the database, the ombudsman and Decent Homes.
The PRS Landlord Ombudsman: what it is and when
A mandatory ombudsman for private landlords in England is coming under the Renters' Rights Act. Expected timing, what membership means and how to prepare.
The £10,000 EPC cost cap explained, with worked examples
How the £10,000 per property cost cap for EPC C by 2030 works: what counts, spend since 1 October 2025, grants, low-value homes and when you can register an exemption.
The cheapest route to EPC C: typical costs and SAP gains
Typical costs and SAP point gains for loft and cavity insulation, LEDs, heating controls, cylinder jackets, boilers, solid wall and floor insulation, glazing, heat pumps and solar PV.
Gas safety certificates for landlords
Landlords must have gas appliances checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe engineer and give tenants a copy within 28 days. What the CP12 covers, deadlines and records.
EICRs for landlords: electrical safety rules
Landlords in England need an EICR at least every 5 years. Copies to tenants within 28 days, councils within 7 days, and remedial work within 28 days.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: landlord rules
Since 1 October 2022 landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey and a CO alarm in rooms with fixed combustion appliances, check them on day one and repair faults.
EPC reform and the Home Energy Model: why a C today may not be enough
New EPCs based on the Home Energy Model are due in the second half of 2027, with fabric, heating, smart readiness and cost metrics. What that means for landlords with C ratings.
Landlord compliance checklist for England, 2026
The master checklist for self-managing landlords in England: gas, electrical, alarms, deposits, EPC, the new database, the Renters' Rights Act, the ombudsman and EPC C by 2030.