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Free UK landlord advice for England
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Your Questions, Answered
Get instant, plain-English answers to your landlord-tenant questions. Ask Heaven covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
England
Section 21 & 8, ASTs, MCOL
Wales
Renting Homes Act, Section 173
Scotland
PRT, Notice to Leave, FTT
N. Ireland
Notice to Quit, rent recovery
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Popular Questions We Help With
- •How do I evict a tenant who is not paying rent?
- •Which eviction notice should I use?
- •How do I recover rent arrears through the courts?
- •What notice period do I need to give my tenant?
- •Is my tenancy agreement legally compliant?
- •How does eviction work in Scotland with the PRT?
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▶Landlord Compliance Help
Click any question below to ask Ask Heaven directly.
Deposit Protection
Landlords must protect tenancy deposits in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS, or mydeposits) within 30 days and provide prescribed information to tenants.
▶Quick checklist
- ✓Protect deposit within 30 days of receipt (England/Wales/Scotland; NI has different rules)
- ✓Use a government-approved scheme: DPS, TDS, or mydeposits
- ✓Serve prescribed information to tenant within 30 days
- ✓Provide certificate from the scheme
EPC Rules
Energy Performance Certificates are required before letting a property. From April 2020, rental properties in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of E or above.
▶Quick checklist
- ✓Obtain valid EPC before marketing or letting property
- ✓Minimum rating of E required in England and Wales (exemptions may apply)
- ✓Provide copy to tenants before move-in
- ✓EPC valid for 10 years
Gas Safety Certificate
Landlords must have gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) within 28 days.
- ?When must a landlord provide a gas safety certificate?
- ?Does missing gas safety invalidate a Section 21?
▶Quick checklist
- ✓Annual gas safety check by Gas Safe registered engineer
- ✓Provide CP12 certificate to existing tenants within 28 days of check
- ✓Provide to new tenants before move-in
- ✓Keep records for 2 years
EICR Electrical Safety
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) are required every 5 years for rental properties in England. Landlords must provide a copy to tenants before they move in.
▶Quick checklist
- ✓EICR required every 5 years in England (from July 2020 for new tenancies)
- ✓Provide copy to new tenants before move-in
- ✓Provide to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection
- ✓C1 (danger present) and C2 (potentially dangerous) require remedial works
Smoke & CO Alarms
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2022, landlords must install smoke alarms on every floor and CO alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances.
- ?What are the smoke alarm rules for landlords in England?
- ?Do I need carbon monoxide alarms in rental property?
▶Quick checklist
- ✓Smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation
- ✓CO alarm in any room with fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
- ✓Check alarms are working on the first day of new tenancy
- ✓Repair or replace faulty alarms within reasonable time
Right to Rent Checks
Landlords in England must verify that tenants have the right to rent in the UK before letting a property. Failure to check can result in civil penalties up to £20,000.
▶Quick checklist
- ✓Applies in England only (not Wales, Scotland, or NI)
- ✓Check original documents for all adult occupiers before tenancy starts
- ✓Accept List A or List B documents from Home Office guidance
- ✓Online checking service available for biometric residence permits/cards
For general information only. This page provides educational content about UK landlord law and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified solicitor.