London landlords have several legal safety obligations. The core ones are a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) every 12 months, an EICR every 5 years, an EPC (valid 10 years) before letting, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the right places, and for HMOs and buildings with shared areas a fire risk assessment. This checklist explains each one: what it is, when you need it, and how often.
Staying compliant as a London landlord can feel like a moving target, different certificates, different renewal cycles, and rules that have tightened in recent years. This checklist brings them together in one place so you can see exactly what your property needs and when. Every requirement below is set by law; keeping on top of them protects your tenants, your insurance, and your ability to regain possession if you ever need to.
1. Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | every 12 months
If your property has any gas appliances, a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. A Gas Safe registered engineer must check every gas appliance, flue and pipe at least every 12 months, and you must give the tenant a copy within 28 days.
- Who needs it: any let property with gas.
- How often: every 12 months.
- Tip: you can renew in the two months before expiry without losing your anniversary date.
Read more in our guide: How Much Does a Gas Safety Certificate Cost in London? — and see our Gas Safety Certificate service.
2. EICR (Electrical Safety Certificate) | every 5 years
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) confirms the property’s fixed wiring is safe. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords must have the installation inspected at least every 5 years and provide the report to tenants.
- Who needs it: all private rented homes in England.
- How often: at least every 5 years.
- Note: many first-cycle EICRs from the 2021 rollout are expiring now | see our EICR Deadline 2026 guide.
Read more: our complete EICR Certificate London guide, and the EICR service page.
3. EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) | valid 10 years
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the property’s energy efficiency from A to G. You must have a valid EPC (currently minimum rating E) before marketing a property to let, and it lasts 10 years.
- Who needs it: any property marketed to let.
- How often: valid for 10 years.
- Looking ahead: minimum energy standards are set to rise over the coming years, so it is worth knowing your rating early.
See our EPC service page.
4. Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms | check every new tenancy
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, amended in 2022, landlords must:
- Install at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), this includes gas boilers, gas fires, and wood or coal burners.
- Ensure all alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.
- Repair or replace faulty alarms once reported.
- Who needs it: virtually all rented homes.
- How often: check at the start of every new tenancy; fix faults promptly.
5. Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) | for HMOs & shared buildings
If you let an HMO, a block of flats, or any building with shared communal areas, a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Responsible Person must carry it out, keep it under review, and (since October 2023) record it in full.
- Who needs it: HMOs and communal areas of buildings with two or more households. A single home let to one family is not covered.
- How often: reviewed regularly, at least annually for HMOs is the accepted standard.
Read more: our Fire Risk Assessment London guide, and the Fire Risk Assessment service page.
Quick reference: the London landlord checklist
| Requirement | Who needs it | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | Properties with gas | Every 12 months |
| EICR (electrical) | All private rentals | Every 5 years |
| EPC | Any property let | Valid 10 years |
| Smoke & CO alarms | Virtually all rentals | Check each new tenancy |
| Fire Risk Assessment | HMOs & shared buildings | Reviewed regularly (annually for HMOs) |
Why staying compliant matters
Beyond the legal duty, keeping every certificate current protects you in three practical ways: your insurance can be affected by a missing certificate; your ability to regain possession is stronger with a clean compliance record (especially now that Section 21 has been abolished and landlords rely on Section 8 grounds); and, most importantly, these rules exist to keep tenants safe. Falling behind on any one of them can carry significant penalties enforced by your local council or fire authority.
Keep all your London compliance in one place
Property Safety Ltd provides every certificate on this checklist, gas, electrical, EPC and fire, across London and the M25, carried out by qualified engineers and assessors. Booking them together in a single visit keeps your compliance simple and reduces overall cost.
Book online, or call us for a quote covering everything your property needs. Clear pricing, qualified engineers, no fuss.
What safety certificates do landlords need in London?
How often do landlord safety certificates need renewing?
Do all rented properties need a fire risk assessment?
What are the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules for landlords?
Can I book all my landlord certificates together?
Property Safety Ltd is written about as a property safety SERVICE PROVIDER. Legal responsibility stays with the landlord (the “Responsible Person”). No undeliverable claims.
