New 2026 Laws for Self-Managing Landlords: Essential Compliance Guide

With additional reforms due in 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act, and with local authorities receiving an extra £18.2 million to strengthen enforcement, the compliance landscape is becoming increasingly unforgiving. Our latest article provides an in-depth look at the latest obligations and outlines why landlords - especially those managing their own properties - should consider the practical and legal benefits of working with a professional letting agent.

What Has Changed on 27 December 2025?

Under the updated enforcement framework, councils can now request a broad set of compliance documents from:

• The current landlord
• The letting agent
• Any party who has "held an interest" in the property in the past 12 months - including former owners

This means landlords who sold a rental property within the last year may still be legally responsible for providing key compliance records.

The documents councils may request include:

• Tenancy agreements
• Deposit Protection Scheme certificates & prescribed information
• Right to Rent check documentation
• Gas Safety Certificates (CP12)
• Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
• Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
• Licensing documents (e.g., HMO licences, selective licences)
• Repair and maintenance records
• Copies of legal notices served

Failure to supply these within council timeframes can lead to penalties of between £7,000 and £40,000, depending on the type and severity of the breach.

The Expanding Responsibilities of Self-Managing Landlords

Even before the December changes, landlords were required to navigate more than 150 separate legal obligations. The following areas represent the most common compliance gaps among self-managed portfolios.

1. Safety and Certification Requirements

Under UK law, landlords must maintain full, up-to-date certification for:

• Annual Gas Safety checks
• Electrical safety inspections (EICR) every 5 years
• EPC ratings of at least "E" (with likely tightening under future proposals)

These certificates must be provided to tenants and, under the new rules, must be readily available for council inspection.

2. Deposit Protection & Documentation

Deposits must be registered within 30 days using a government-approved scheme. Self-managing landlords often fall foul of requirements such as:

• Providing the prescribed information in full
• Ensuring all named tenants receive copies
• Correctly protecting renewals or statutory periodic tendencies

Non-compliance exposes landlords to claims worth up to three times the deposit amount.

3. Right to Rent Checks

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring tenants have the right to rent in the UK. Failure to conduct proper checks can result in fines of up to £20,000 per tenant. Most agents use digital verification systems to avoid administrative or identity-verification errors.

4. Licensing Requirements

Selective licensing schemes are expanding across the North West, including areas of Blackpool, Morecambe, Lancaster and Preston. Landlords must ensure they:

• Apply correctly
• Pay the required fees
• Renew licences on time
• Meet property standard conditions

The December rule changes strengthen council inspection powers, making licensing compliance a key enforcement focus for 2026.

5. Record-Keeping Obligations

Councils can now request repair logs, maintenance invoices, and communication records to ensure landlords have addressed key issues such as:

• Damp and mould
• Boiler maintenance
• Electrical hazards
• Structural defects

Poor record-keeping is one of the leading causes of enforcement action against self-managed landlords.

Why the New December Rules Increase Risk for Self-Managing Landlords

The updated regulations place a heavy emphasis on documentation and traceability. While letting agents already maintain structured files and automated compliance systems, self-managing landlords must now:

• Maintain comprehensive digital records
• Understand complex legal updates
• Respond to council requests within specific timeframes
• Navigate multiple government platforms
• Carry out annual and periodic safety inspections on schedule

With councils holding expanded powers and dedicated budgets for enforcement, landlords operating without professional support face significantly higher legal exposure.

How Professional Letting Agents Reduce Compliance Risk

Letting agents such as Farrell Heyworth operate robust compliance systems that ensure all necessary documentation is:

• Accurately maintained
• Digitally stored
• Readily available for council inspection
• Updated in line with legal changes

This reduces risk and removes administrative burden, allowing landlords to focus on long-term investment strategy rather than day-to-day legal compliance.

Landlords seeking guidance can contact their local branch, including:

• Bamber Bridge
• Barrow
• Blackpool
• Carnforth
• Chorley
• Cleveleys
• Fulwood
• Garstang
• Lancaster
• Leyland
• Morecambe
• Ormskirk
• Penwortham
• Poulton
• Preston
• Southport
• St Annes
• Westhoughton

Compliance Checklist for 2026

Landlords should ensure they have the following documentation readily available:

• Tenancy agreements (signed, dated, complete)
• DPS certificates and prescribed information
• Right to Rent evidence
• Annual Gas Safety Certificate
• Valid EICR
• Valid EPC
• Licensing documents
• Maintenance and repair logs
• Copies of notices served
• Proof of smoke alarm & carbon monoxide alarm checks

While not exhaustive, this list reflects the most common areas subject to council enforcement under the new powers.

The Wider Impact on the 2026 Rental Market

As more landlords struggle with tightening regulations, analysts expect an increase in landlords selling rental stock - particularly in areas with selective licensing and older housing stock. Towns such as Morecambe and Blackpool may see the largest shifts.

Agents with established letting operations are likely to see increased demand for fully managed services as landlords seek to reduce administrative burden and legal risk.

Resources & Further Reading

Government & Regulatory Guidance

• UK Government: Renting Guidance - Official rules for landlords and tenants.
• Renters' Rights / Renters Reform Overview - Details of upcoming 2026 changes.
• EICR Legal Requirements - Government guidance.
• HSE Gas Safety Rules - Annual checks and compliance standards.

Industry Bodies

• National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) - Policy updates and landlord training.
• Propertymark - Lettings regulatory guidance.
• Shelter - Tenant rights and housing policy reports.

Compliance Tools

• Right to Rent Checklist - Identity verification tools.
• Civil Penalty Framework - Fines and enforcement guidance.

About the Author

Laura Gittins is the PR & Marketing Manager at Farrell Heyworth, specialising in market commentary, regional housing insights and consumer guidance. Laura works closely with internal teams and industry partners to deliver trusted updates on the North West property market. Connect with her on LinkedIn.