Free Landlord Risk Check
for England & Wales

The most common cause of failed possession claims. Every pre-possession compliance step must be completed correctly before you can rely on a Section 8 notice. Courts will not overlook paperwork errors.

• How to Rent guide served at tenancy start and on every renewal
• Gas Safety Certificate served before move-in and annually
• EPC provided at start of tenancy (minimum E rating)
• Deposit protected within 30 days and prescribed information served
• RRA 2025 Information Sheet served (from 1 May 2026)
• Section 8 notice correctly completed for the relevant ground

Protecting the deposit is step one. Serving the prescribed information within 30 days is a separate legal obligation — and the one most landlords miss. The penalty is 1× to 3× the deposit amount.

• Deposit protected in an approved scheme within 30 days of receipt
• Prescribed information document served within 30 days
• Proof of service kept (email, signed receipt, or postal record)
• Protection renewed if tenancy renewed or becomes periodic

An expired Gas Safety Certificate, EICR or EPC blocks possession entirely and can result in civil penalties up to £30,000. Each certificate carries independent obligations and renewal deadlines.

• Gas Safety Certificate current (renewed every 12 months)
• EICR current (renewed every 5 years or on change of tenancy)
• EPC rating E or above and in date (valid 10 years)
• Smoke alarms on every floor, tested at start of each tenancy
• Carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a solid fuel appliance

In force from 27 October 2025. Every private landlord in England must respond to repair reports within mandatory timescales. A verbal report from a tenant starts the clock.

• Emergency hazards: investigate and make safe within 24 hours of report
• Damp and mould: begin investigation within 14 days of report
• Every repair report logged with date, time and method of reporting
• Written acknowledgement sent to tenant for every report
• Evidence kept: photos, invoices, contractor confirmation

Every landlord in England and Wales has a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH Regulations to assess and record Legionella risk. Most landlords have never done one.

• Written Legionella risk assessment completed and recorded
• Water system type identified (combi boiler = lowest risk)
• Hot water temperature verified (60°C storage, 50°C at tap within 60 seconds)
• Little-used outlets identified and regular flushing schedule in place
• Assessment reviewed at every change of tenancy or every 2 years

Every private landlord in England must register on the national Private Rented Sector Database under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Without registration you cannot legally advertise a rental property or obtain possession orders. Fines up to £40,000.

• Register on the PRS Database when it opens (expected late 2026)
• Ensure all rental properties are listed on your registration
• Keep registration current — changes must be updated within 28 days
• Display registration number in all property advertisements