Preparing for the start of a new tenancy can be time-consuming and stressful for landlords.
Not only do you need to make sure your property is appealing and comfortable for tenants, there are also a rising number of legal obligations to meet.
Whether you’re an experienced landlord or just starting out, our pre-tenancy checklist covers 12 key things you need to do when renting out a property in England. This will help you make sure your property is ready for tenants and complies with the law in 2026.
Landlord checklist – 12 steps to preparing for a tenancy
Follow our checklist below to get started with your new tenancy:
1. Furniture and furnishings fire safety regulations
All landlords have to meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations.
These rules mean upholstered furniture you provide, such as beds, chairs, and sofas, needs to be fire resistant. From 30 October 2025, an amendment to the rules means manufacturers no longer need to add a display swing label to new products, but they still require a permanent label.
Loose furniture and upholstery like bed covers, curtains, and carpets aren’t covered by the regulations, but it’s important to make sure everything you provide is fire safe. The rules also exclude certain baby and children’s products.
Our fire safety regulations guide has further information on how you can keep your rental property fire safe.
2. Electrical safety checks
To make sure tenants are living in safe conditions, landlords have to comply with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations.
To follow these rules, first introduced in 2020, you need to carry out electrical safety checks at least once every five years.
A registered tradesperson must complete the checks, and you’ll need to provide a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to new and existing renters.
Professionals completing electrical checks of your property will be:
- looking at fuse boxes, wiring, and sockets
- checking for overloaded installations
- monitoring for fire hazards
- making sure there are no electric shock risks
Read our full guide on electrical safety certificates to make sure you’re compliant, as local councils can impose fines of up to £40,000 for offences committed from 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act.
3. Landlord licensing and the new PRS database
One of the first things you’ll need to do when letting your property is check with your local council whether it needs a licence.
Your property may need a selective or additional licence. You can read more about the different types of licensing and whether you need a licence on your local council’s website.
If your property is a house in multiple occupation (HMO), it’s likely it’ll need a licence. HMO landlords have extra responsibilities as they’re letting larger properties to more people.
In late 2026, the government is also launching a mandatory Private Rented Sector (PRS) database and a mandatory landlord Ombudsman scheme from 2028. You need to register yourself and every property you let on this central system before marketing or re-letting it.
4. Energy efficiency rules and EPC ratings for rental properties
Before you let your property, you’ll need to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
They last for ten years and explain the energy efficiency of your property and how to save money on bills.
You’ll need to give a copy of a valid EPC to tenants when they move in. If you don’t, you could be fined and you may not be able to evict tenants legally.
Currently, landlords have to meet minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES), making it illegal to let your property if it has an EPC rating of F or G.
However, under new plans, properties let out by private landlords in England and Wales will need a minimum EPC rating of C by October 2030. Landlords won’t need to spend more than £10,000 per property on their energy upgrades.
Read our guide to EPC ratings to find out more about MEES and how to improve the energy efficiency of your property.
5. Gas safety certificates for landlords
Similar to electrical safety checks, landlords need to carry out gas safety checks once a year and give a copy of the gas safety certificate to tenants.
Here’s an overview of what you need to do:
- a Gas Safe registered engineer must carry out the gas safety checks
- once the check is complete, you should provide the certificate to existing tenants within 28 days
- you must give new tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate when they move in
Read our in-depth guide to getting a gas safety certificate to get up to speed with everything you need to know about gas safety in your rental property.
6. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in rental properties
It’s a legal requirement for landlords to install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of their rental property.
You’ll also need a carbon monoxide detector in any room with a fixed combustion appliance – such as a wood burning stove, coal fire, or gas boiler. This doesn’t include gas cookers.
You must test all alarms before the start of each new tenancy, and you face significant fines if you don’t comply with these rules.
Read our guide to smoke alarm requirements for everything you need to know about smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, from where to put them, to the penalty fines for non-compliance.
7. Landlord insurance
Unlike most of the other things you need to sort out before a tenancy, landlord insurance isn’t a legal requirement.
However, if you have a buy-to-let mortgage, it’s likely your lender will want you to have landlord insurance in place. Standard home insurance usually won’t cover you if you let your property, due to the extra risks involved.
Having a specialist landlord insurance policy in place can make sure your property and finances are protected.
Promotion
8. Referencing and Right to Rent
Once your property is ready to let and you start receiving applications from tenants, you’ll need to screen them effectively to help you make your final decision.
Our comprehensive guide to tenant referencing covers everything you need to know about this part of the pre-tenancy process.
As part of the screening process, it’s also a legal requirement to check the immigration status of prospective tenants to make sure they have the right to rent in the UK.
Be aware that a new code of practice for the Right to Rent scheme comes into effect on 1 October 2026, so make sure you read the updated guidance.
9. Tenancy agreement
Once you know which tenant(s) you want to live in your property, you’ll need to get them to sign a tenancy agreement.
A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your tenants, setting out the details of all the conditions of the tenancy, such as whether you accept subletting or pets.
With new tenancy rules live under the Renters’ Rights Act, it’s vital to use an up-to-date agreement. It should include key information like:
- how much the rent is and when it’s due
- your contact details and the address of the property
- what you are responsible for and what the tenant is responsible for
- when the tenancy officially begins
10. Deposit protection
If you take a security deposit from your new tenants, it’ll need to be protected with a government-approved scheme in 30 days.
There are three approved tenancy deposit protection schemes, offering two types of deposit protection called custodial and insured.
Read our guide to the tenancy deposit scheme to find out which scheme is best for you and the maximum security deposit you can take from tenants.
11. Written statement of terms
It’s mandatory to give your tenant a written statement of terms in some form. This can be included in your tenancy agreement or given as a standalone document.
Your written statement of terms should include:
- the basics, such as the full names and addresses of all landlords and tenants
- financial information surrounding rent
- safety and repairs information
- possession and notice information
You can read our full guide to providing a written statement of terms for more.
Previously, landlords needed to provide their tenants with a copy of the government’s How to rent guide.
12. Rental inventory
When your tenants are ready to move in, it’s important that you carry out an inventory.
Also known as a check-in or schedule of condition, an inventory details the condition and contents of your property at the start of the tenancy. At the end of the contract, you need to do an inventory check-out to make a comparison.
A thorough landlord inventory gives you extra protection and can be crucial if you need evidence for deposit deductions or a dispute.
Independent clerks, letting agents, or landlords can do the inventories. It’s important for both parties that the inventory is detailed and impartial.
Our guide to landlord inventories gives further information on where to get an inventory template and what you need to do at the end of the tenancy.
Working towards a successful tenancy
Using this checklist as a guide can help you prepare for a successful and long-term tenancy.
Once the tenancy is underway, you’ll need to keep an eye on any repairs requests and carry out regular property inspections.
At the end of the contract, you’ll need to do an inventory check-out, complete any redecoration tasks, and start preparing for the next tenancy.
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