Every legal obligation. All in one place.
A practical reference guide for landlords covering all statutory requirements — what they are, how often they apply, and what WG Property manages on your behalf.
May 2026
WG Property · Hull & East Yorkshire
01482 961097 · will@wgpropertyhull.co.uk
wgpropertyhull.co.uk
Landlord Obligations
Lettings legislation has become increasingly complex. Failing to meet your obligations as a landlord can result in fines, civil penalties, invalid notices and in some cases criminal prosecution. This checklist covers every key requirement so nothing is missed.
Where you are on a WG Property Full Management instruction, we handle the compliance cycle on your behalf. Items managed by us are marked accordingly. Where you are on a Let Only instruction, these responsibilities remain yours.
Renters Rights Act 2025: The most significant change to residential lettings legislation in decades. Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished. Fixed-term tenancies are replaced by periodic tenancies. Rent increases are limited to once per year with proper notice. All landlords must ensure their processes reflect the new legal framework.
Statutory Safety Requirements
These are legal requirements. A property cannot be lawfully let without a valid EPC. Failure to provide gas safety and EICR certificates on time carries significant penalties.
| Requirement | Frequency | Key Rules | Penalty | Managed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) | Every 10 years | Minimum E rating required to let. A valid EPC must be provided to the tenant before tenancy begins. New regulations requiring minimum C rating are expected — landlords should plan ahead. | Up to £5,000 fine | WG Manages |
| Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) | Ongoing | Properties must currently achieve a minimum EPC rating of E before being let. Renting out a property below this standard is unlawful and carries a civil penalty. The government is expected to raise the minimum to a C rating by 2028 — landlords should begin planning refurbishment works now to avoid void periods when the change comes into force. | Up to £30,000 fine | Landlord |
| Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | Annual | Must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Copy must be given to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection and to new tenants before move-in. | Criminal prosecution / unlimited fine | WG Manages |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | Every 5 years | Must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Copy to be provided to tenant within 28 days of inspection and to new tenants before move-in. Any C1 or C2 remedial works must be completed within 28 days. | Up to £30,000 fine | WG Manages |
| Smoke Alarms | Start of each tenancy | At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation. Must be tested and in working order at the start of each tenancy. Tenant is responsible for testing and replacing batteries during the tenancy. | Up to £5,000 fine | WG Manages |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms | Start of each tenancy | Required in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance (boiler, gas fire, wood burning stove etc). Must be tested at the start of each tenancy. | Up to £5,000 fine | WG Manages |
| Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) | Periodically (recommended annually) | Not a strict statutory requirement but strongly recommended for all electrical appliances provided by the landlord. Best practice to carry out on change of tenancy. | Civil liability | Landlord |
Before & At the Start of Each Tenancy
Several legal obligations must be met before or at the very start of every new tenancy. Failure to comply with these can invalidate possession notices and expose landlords to significant penalties.
| Requirement | Deadline | Key Rules | Managed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to Rent Check | Before tenancy begins | All adult occupants must have their right to rent in the UK verified. Original documents must be checked in person or via the Home Office online service. Records must be kept for the duration of the tenancy plus one year. | WG Manages |
| How to Rent Guide | Before or at start of tenancy | The government’s How to Rent guide must be provided to every new tenant. Must be the current version at point of issue — check gov.uk before every new tenancy as it is updated regularly. Following the Renters Rights Act 2025, failure to provide a valid current copy is a civil penalty offence and can affect the validity of possession notices. | WG Manages |
| Deposit Protection | Within 30 days of receipt | Every deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (we use TDS). Failure to protect on time means you cannot serve a valid Section 8 notice and the tenant can claim up to 3x the deposit in compensation. | WG Manages |
| Prescribed Information | Within 30 days of deposit receipt | The prescribed information (details of the deposit scheme, how to raise a dispute etc) must be provided to the tenant within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Same penalty applies as for failure to protect. | WG Manages |
| Tenancy Agreement | Before start date | A signed tenancy agreement must be in place before the tenancy begins. Under the Renters Rights Act 2025 all new tenancies are periodic — fixed terms are no longer used for new agreements. | WG Manages |
| Inventory & Schedule of Condition | At start of tenancy | A detailed inventory protects both landlord and tenant at the end of the tenancy. Without a signed inventory, deposit deduction claims are extremely difficult to enforce. | WG Manages |
During the Tenancy
Compliance does not end when the tenancy starts. A number of obligations apply throughout the life of the tenancy.
| Requirement | Frequency | Key Rules | Managed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Repairs & Maintenance | As required | Landlords are legally obliged to keep the structure and exterior in repair, and maintain all installations for heating, hot water, gas, electricity and sanitation. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires properties to be fit throughout the tenancy. | WG Manages |
| Routine Inspections | 8 weeks then 6-monthly | Regular inspections identify maintenance issues early and confirm the property is being cared for. Minimum 24 hours’ written notice must be given before every visit. A written report is produced after each inspection. | WG Manages |
| Rent Increases | Maximum once per year | Under the Renters Rights Act 2025, rent can only be increased once every 12 months. A Section 13 notice must be served with at least 2 months’ written notice. Tenants can challenge increases they consider above market rate at the First-tier Tribunal. WG Property charges £30 to prepare and serve a Section 13 rent increase notice on your behalf. | WG Manages |
| Right to Rent Follow-Up | As required (time-limited leave) | Where a tenant has time-limited right to rent, follow-up checks must be carried out before that leave expires. Failure to carry out follow-up checks can result in a civil penalty of up to £20,000 per occupant. | WG Manages |
| Selective Licensing | Check with local authority | Hull City Council operates selective licensing schemes in designated areas. If your property falls within a designated area, a licence is required before letting. Designated areas change periodically — check current boundaries at hullcc.gov.uk before every new letting instruction, not just once. | Landlord |
| Landlord Registration (if required) | Check with local authority | Some local authorities require private landlords to register. Check current requirements with Hull City Council. | Landlord |
Compliance Calendar
A quick visual reference for the most important compliance timescales.
Renters Rights Act 2025
The Renters Rights Act 2025 is the most significant reform to residential lettings in a generation. Every landlord needs to understand what has changed and how it affects their properties and tenancies.
No-fault evictions are no longer permitted. Landlords can only end a tenancy on specific grounds set out in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, as amended. Grounds include rent arrears, breach of tenancy, landlord wishing to sell or move in, and others.
Fixed-term tenancies can no longer be granted for new tenancies. All new tenancies are periodic from the outset, rolling month to month. Existing fixed terms continue until their natural end, then become periodic.
Rent can only be increased once every 12 months. A Section 13 notice must be served with at least 2 months’ written notice. Tenants can challenge increases at the First-tier Tribunal if they consider them above market rate.
Tenants now have the right to request permission to keep a pet. Landlords can only refuse on reasonable grounds. Landlords can require tenants to take out pet damage insurance as a condition of consent.
Possession must now go through the courts even in straightforward cases. Landlords should budget more time and potentially cost for any possession action. Ensuring your tenancy documentation and compliance are watertight is more important than ever.
The Decent Homes Standard is being extended to the private rented sector. Properties must meet minimum standards for heating, insulation and overall condition. Local authorities will have greater enforcement powers.
WG Property keeps all managed properties compliant with the Renters Rights Act. For landlords on our Full Management service, we handle the updated notice processes, tenancy documentation and compliance requirements. If you have any questions about how these changes affect your properties, speak to us directly on 01482 961097.
Let Us Handle It
On a WG Property Full Management instruction, we manage the entire compliance cycle on your behalf — so nothing is ever missed.
Speak to Will Directly
Whether you want to discuss a specific requirement or are considering switching to a fully managed service, we are happy to have a straightforward conversation.