What Landlords Need to Know About 2025 Compliance Rules

Being a landlord in 2025 means navigating a compliance landscape that is more demanding than at any point in recent memory. At Ascot Knight, we deal with this on behalf of our managed landlords every single day - but for those who self-manage, or who are considering taking on a property for the first time, we want to set out clearly what is required of you right now.

Gas Safety

If your property has any gas appliances, you are legally required to have a Gas Safety Record carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer every twelve months. This is non-negotiable and has been the law for years, but we still encounter properties where landlords have let this lapse. A copy of the certificate must be given to your tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, and to any new tenant before they move in.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

Since April 2021, all private rented properties in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report, known as an EICR. These must be carried out by a qualified electrician and are valid for five years. If your report is approaching its expiry, do not leave it to the last minute - qualified electricians in Teesside are busy and booking slots can take several weeks.

Any remedial work identified in the report as Category 1 or Category 2 must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if specified. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 from the local authority.

EPC Ratings - Changes on the Horizon

Currently, rental properties must hold an Energy Performance Certificate with a rating of E or above. However, the government has signalled its intention to raise the minimum standard to C for new tenancies, with existing tenancies to follow. While the exact implementation date has shifted, landlords should be planning ahead now rather than facing rushed and expensive improvements later.

If your property is currently rated D or E, it is worth getting an assessment done and understanding what improvements would be needed to reach a C. In many cases, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or a boiler upgrade can make the difference - and some of these may be partially funded through government schemes.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Since October 2022, landlords have been required to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance - this includes gas boilers, not just open fires. Smoke alarms must be fitted on every floor of the property. These must be tested at the start of every tenancy.

Deposit Protection

Any deposit taken from a tenant must be registered with a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt. The three approved schemes are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Your tenant must also be provided with the prescribed information relating to the deposit within the same 30-day window. Getting this wrong exposes you to significant financial penalties and can prevent you from serving a valid Section 21 notice.

Right to Rent Checks

Before any tenancy begins, landlords must carry out Right to Rent checks to confirm that prospective tenants have the legal right to reside in the UK. These checks must be documented and retained. Since the introduction of the digital checking system, the process has become more straightforward, but it remains a legal obligation and one that carries serious consequences if ignored.

Renters Reform - What Is Coming

The Renters Reform Bill, which has been working its way through parliament, will bring significant changes when it becomes law. The abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions is the headline change, but there are others - including the introduction of a national landlord register and new rules around rent increases. We will be issuing a full update for our landlords when the legislation is confirmed.

If managing all of this feels like a significant burden on top of actually owning and maintaining property, that is because it is. Professional management exists precisely to take this off your plate. Our compliance team keeps every managed property up to date with current requirements, so our landlords can focus on the returns rather than the paperwork.

If you have questions about any of the above or want to discuss how we manage compliance for our landlords, call us on 03301 759773 or drop us a message via WhatsApp.