Guide
Preparing a property to let in England: what the law requires
Before letting a home in England, it needs an EPC rating of at least E, a gas safety check by a Gas Safe engineer within the last 12 months, an electrical inspection within the last five years, a smoke alarm on every storey with living space, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance.
Updated 3 min readBy the Solubius team
The weeks between tenancies, or before a first let, are the easiest time to get a property into good order. The rooms are empty, so work can be done in the right order. This guide sets out the legal minimums for a private rented home in England as of September 2026, with links to official sources. It is not legal advice; check the sources for your own situation.
Energy rating: EPC E or better
Under the minimum energy efficiency standard, a privately rented home rated below E on its Energy Performance Certificate cannot be let unless a valid exemption is registered. This has applied to new tenancies since 1 April 2018 and to all tenancies since 1 April 2020. The cost cap for required improvements is £3,500 including VAT; where improvements up to that cap cannot bring a home to E, an exemption can be registered. Exemptions last five years.
Announced, not yet law. The government has said that by 1 October 2030 all privately rented homes will need to meet a higher standard, measured with new EPC metrics, and the spending cap will rise to £10,000. New legislation is needed first. If you are planning work now, ask which improvements would count towards that standard too.
Gas safety
Every gas appliance, fitting and flue the landlord provides must be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer within 12 months of installation, then at least every 12 months. The record goes to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, and to new tenants before they move in. Keep each record until two further checks have been done.
Electrical safety
The electrical installation must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, and before a new tenancy starts if there is no current report. A copy goes to tenants within 28 days, and to the council within seven days if it asks for one in writing. Any remedial work the report identifies must be completed.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Since 1 October 2022, landlords in England must:
- fit a smoke alarm on every storey with a room used as living accommodation,
- fit a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler or wood burner (gas cookers are excluded),
- repair or replace alarms reported as faulty.
Councils can fine landlords up to £5,000 for breaches.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025
The Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Its first phase took effect on 1 May 2026, abolishing section 21 evictions and moving tenancies to assured periodic tenancies, among other changes. A landlord database is due from late 2026. The Act also sets a legal duty for private rented homes to meet the Decent Homes Standard, which the government has said will come into force in 2035.
Where renovation fits in
The legal checks are carried out by registered engineers and electricians. We handle the work around them: repairs to walls and ceilings, making good after electrical or heating work, flooring, doors, joinery and decoration, planned so the property is finished once, before the tenancy starts, rather than patched between viewings.
Sources
- gov.uk: minimum energy efficiency standard, landlord guidance
- gov.uk: improving the energy performance of privately rented homes, government response
- legislation.gov.uk: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, regulation 36
- HSE: gas safety record for landlords
- legislation.gov.uk: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, regulation 3
- gov.uk: smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, guidance for landlords
- gov.uk: Renters' Rights Act 2025 implementation roadmap
- gov.uk: the new Decent Homes Standard, policy statement
Common questions
At least E. Since April 2020, a privately rented home in England rated F or G cannot be let unless the landlord has registered a valid exemption, for example where improvements up to the £3,500 cost cap cannot reach E. The government has announced a higher standard for 2030, but it still needs new legislation.
At least every five years, carried out by a qualified person, and before a new tenancy starts if there is no current report. Tenants get a copy within 28 days, the council within seven days if it asks in writing, and any remedial work the report identifies must be completed.
Yes, in any room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler, open fire or wood burner. Gas cookers are excluded. This has applied since 1 October 2022, alongside a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation. Landlords must also repair or replace alarms reported as faulty.
Planning home improvements work?
Send the address, a few photographs and what needs to change. We will tell you what applies to your property.