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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: Mar 2026

EPC & MEES — Energy Performance Certificate and minimum energy efficiency

England landlord obligations for Energy Performance Certificates and the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) — what rating you need and what to do if you're below the threshold.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Fees landlords can charge — Tenant Fees Act rules

What payments England landlords and agents are permitted to charge under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 — and what is prohibited. Covers permitted payments, default fees, and the penalties for overcharging.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Gas Safety Record (CP12) — Landlord obligations

Everything England landlords need to know about the annual gas safety check and CP12 certificate — what it is, what to store, and how to prove you gave it to tenants.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

How to Rent Guide — Proof of service for landlords

How England landlords must provide the government's How to Rent Guide to tenants — when to serve it, which version, and how to prove you did.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Landlord compliance checklist — Before move-in

A comprehensive pre-move-in compliance checklist for England landlords — every document, certificate and evidence item you need before a tenant moves in.

Reviewed: Mar 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

Under the Renters' Rights Act, inviting or accepting bids above the advertised asking rent is unlawful from 1 May 2026. This guide explains the new rules and what landlords must do to comply.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Rental discrimination rules for England landlords

What England landlords can and cannot do when selecting tenants — covering Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and the new Renters' Rights Act protections for benefit claimants and families with children 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 about renting to tenants receiving Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance — the rules before and after 1 May 2026.

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

Everything England landlords need to know about tenancy agreements — what must be included, what clauses are enforceable, and how the Renters' Rights Act changes things from 1 May 2026.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Tenancy deposit prescribed information — Landlord obligations

What England landlords must do with a tenant's deposit — protecting it in a government-approved scheme and serving the prescribed information within 30 days.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

Tenancy types in England — A landlord's guide

Understand the different types of residential tenancy in England, what changes under the Renters' Rights Act from 1 May 2026, and the difference between tenancies and licences.

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 — What landlords must provide

A complete list of all documents and information England landlords must give tenants at the start of a tenancy, including new written statement requirements from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act.

Reviewed: Mar 2026

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