Start a tenancy

Before your tenant moves in, England law requires you to provide several documents and certificates and meet specific obligations. These guides cover each requirement — what it is, what to do, and what to keep as proof.

EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report

What England landlords need to know about the EICR requirement — how often it's needed, what the results mean, and how to prove compliance.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

EPC & MEES — Energy Performance Certificate and minimum energy efficiency

EPC and MEES obligations for England landlords: minimum ratings, exemptions, marketing rules and what to do below the threshold.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Fees landlords can charge — Tenant Fees Act rules

Tenant Fees Act guide for England landlords and agents: permitted payments, prohibited fees, default charges and overcharging penalties.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Gas Safety Record (CP12): landlord duties in England

Annual gas safety checks, tenant copies, record retention and renewal reminders for landlords in England, with historical Section 21 rules kept separate.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

How to Rent guide: historical proof of service

The How to Rent guide was withdrawn on 1 May 2026. Keep historical service evidence and check the written-information duties for current England tenancies.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

Landlord checklist before move-in in England

A practical England checklist for written tenancy terms, safety records, alarms, deposit information and evidence before a new tenant moves in.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

Legionella risk assessment — Landlord obligations

What England landlords need to know about their legal duty to assess and control legionella risk in rental properties — who can do it and what to document.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Rent payments and deposits — Rules for England landlords

How rent must be paid, the deposit cap rules under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, and what England landlords can and cannot charge at the start of a tenancy.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Rental bidding rules — What landlords and agents can and cannot do

Renters' Rights Act rental bidding rules for England landlords and agents: asking rent, higher offers and compliance steps.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Rental discrimination rules for England landlords

England tenant selection rules for landlords, including Equality Act duties and Renters' Rights protections from 1 May 2026.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Renting to families with children — Landlord rules

What England landlords need to know about renting to families with children — the rules before and after 1 May 2026 and how to avoid discrimination claims.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Renting to tenants on benefits — What landlords can and cannot do

What England landlords need to know when renting to tenants on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Right to Rent checks — Landlord obligations

How England landlords must carry out Right to Rent checks before a new tenancy — who to check, what documents to accept, and how to store the evidence.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms — Landlord obligations

England landlord requirements for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors — what's required, where they must be placed, and how to log checks.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Tenancy agreements — What landlords need to include

England tenancy agreement guide: required terms, enforceable clauses and Renters' Rights Act changes from 1 May 2026.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Tenancy deposit prescribed information in England

Protect a tenancy deposit and provide prescribed information within 30 days. England rules, evidence to retain and current possession restrictions.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

Tenancy types in England — A landlord's guide

Residential tenancy types in England, including Renters' Rights Act changes from 1 May 2026 and tenancy versus licence differences.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

What happens if you are reported for rental discrimination

What England landlords face if reported for discriminating against tenants — enforcement routes, penalties, and how to respond to a discrimination complaint.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Written information for tenants in England

Which written terms, Information Sheet and safety documents private landlords in England must give tenants, and when to provide them.

Reviewed: Oct 2026

All guides cover England only. TenancyVault does not provide legal advice.