What checks must a landlord do?
Emma Jordan
Published Mar 12, 2026
By law, landlords must ensure that the electrical system – such as sockets and light fittings – in the property they let is safe. They must also check that all electrical items supplied as part of the tenancy – such as cookers and lamps – are safe. Conduct a visual inspection of the electrical system between tenancies.
What a landlord must provide?
Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the landlord is responsible to: keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair, including drains, gutters and external pipes. keep installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity and sanitation in good repair and proper working order.
What private landlords need to know?
In this guide to your legal obligations as a private landlord, we’ll look at:
- Your Landlord Obligations: Safety.
- Gas Safety.
- Electrical Safety.
- Fire Safety.
- Your Landlord Obligations: Paperwork.
- Deposit Protection.
- Energy Performance.
- ‘How to Rent’
What is the law on EICR?
The Law around the EICR has now changed and will come into effect in July 2020. There will a legal onus on all landlords to have a electrical installation condition report in place. The government have also laid down the law that all existing tenancies will require a EICR report by April 2021.
What safety certificates do landlords need?
Certificates and documentation
- Gas safety certificate. By law, landlords must have all gas appliances, pipes and flues checked annually by a Gas Safe engineer.
- Electrical safety certificate.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Proof of deposit protection.
- Fire safety measures.
- Legionella risk assessment.
- Landlord insurance.
What is a private landlord responsible for?
On the most part, you as the landlord, will be responsible for most of the repairs to your property, so along with making sure your appliances are safe and maintained, as stated in Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 you also need to look after: The installations for heating and water in the property.
