What Landlords Must Do Before 31st May 2026 — And the Penalties for Getting It Wrong
There are important new rules landlords must comply with before 31st May 2026, with fines reaching up to £40,000 for some breaches. We’re finding many tenants are now more aware of these changes than landlords themselves. Read our guide to see what you need to do — and how Love Homes can help you stay compliant and protected.
The private rental sector has changed significantly following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and there is one deadline landlords across England should not overlook:
31st May 2026
If you own or manage a rental property, there are key legal requirements you should already be working through now. The challenge is that many landlords are not fully aware of how much has changed — while tenants are becoming increasingly informed about their rights and what landlords are required to do.
In fact, we are already seeing tenants question compliance issues that landlords didn’t even realise applied to them.
With fines now reaching into the tens of thousands in some cases, staying compliant is no longer something to leave until later.
If you are unsure whether your property or tenancy is fully compliant, it is worth speaking to a professional letting agent now — before issues are picked up by tenants or enforcement teams.
At Love Homes, we are helping landlords every day to review their obligations and avoid unnecessary risk.
1. Serve the New Renters’ Rights Information Sheet
One of the most important immediate requirements is the need to provide tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet.
Landlords with existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies that began before 1st May 2026 must ensure this document is served by 31st May 2026.
It explains key changes including:
- The end of Section 21 “no fault” evictions
- Changes to tenancy structures
- New rent increase rules
- Pet rights and tenant protections
- Complaint and enforcement routes
Why this matters
This is exactly the type of requirement that can be easily missed by landlords managing properties themselves — but the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious.
Penalties
Failure to comply could result in:
- Civil penalties up to £7,000
- Fines up to £40,000 in ongoing breach cases
- Restrictions on possession claims
👉 If you’re unsure whether this has been done correctly on your tenancies, it’s worth having this checked properly. At Love Homes, we can quickly review your tenancy files and confirm compliance.
2. Check Your EPC is Still Valid
Every rented property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and this requirement remains firmly in place.
You should check:
- Is your EPC still within its 10-year validity?
- Does it meet at least an E rating?
- Are you prepared for future energy efficiency changes?
Many landlords assume existing tenants or older certificates mean they are covered — but that is not always the case.
Penalties
Up to £5,000 per property for non-compliance
👉 If you’re unsure about your EPC status or future requirements, we can review this for you and highlight any risks early.
3. Electrical Safety Compliance (EICR)
Electrical safety remains one of the most heavily enforced areas for landlords.
You must ensure:
- A valid EICR is in place
- Inspections are completed every 5 years
- Any remedial works are properly actioned
Penalties
Fines up to £40,000
Local authorities now have stronger enforcement powers, meaning issues are more likely to be picked up quickly.
👉 If you are self-managing, this is an area where compliance gaps often occur without landlords realising. We regularly find expired or missing documentation during routine reviews.
4. Gas Safety Checks
Where properties have gas, landlords must:
- Carry out annual Gas Safety Checks
- Provide certificates to tenants on time
Penalties
Unlimited fines in serious cases
Possible criminal prosecution
Restrictions on regaining possession
Tenants are increasingly aware of missing certificates and are more likely to challenge it than ever before.
5. Deposit Protection
Deposit protection rules remain strict and unchanged.
Landlords must:
- Protect deposits in a government-approved scheme
- Provide prescribed information within 30 days
Penalties
Up to 3x the deposit in compensation
Issues with serving valid eviction notices
👉 This is another area where small administrative mistakes can turn into major legal problems. If you’re unsure, you can check your deposit compliance in minutes.
6. Changes to Tenancies and Fixed Terms
From 1st May 2026, most tenancies will operate as periodic agreements under the new system.
Landlords should review:
- Existing tenancy agreements
- Rent review clauses
- Notice procedures
- Any outdated or unenforceable terms
Many older tenancy agreements will no longer reflect current legislation.
👉 If your tenancy agreements haven’t been reviewed recently, it’s strongly recommended to have them checked now rather than later.
7. Keep Proper Compliance Records
Councils now have increased powers to request documentation at any time.
Every landlord should have a clear compliance record including:
- EPC
- EICR
- Gas Safety Certificate
- Deposit protection proof
- Right to Rent checks
- Evidence of Information Sheet delivery
In a dispute or inspection, it is not just about being compliant — it is about being able to prove it.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
One of the biggest changes we are seeing in the rental market is that tenants are now far more informed about their rights and landlord obligations than many landlords expect.
With information widely available online and through tenant communities, landlords are increasingly being challenged on documentation, processes, and compliance standards.
Even honest mistakes can now lead to fines, disputes, or delays in regaining possession of a property.
Final Thoughts
The reality is simple: the rules are becoming more detailed, and enforcement is becoming stricter.
For many landlords, the biggest risk is not intentional non-compliance — it is simply not realising something has changed.
At Love Homes, we are already supporting landlords with:
- Full compliance reviews
- Tenancy agreement checks
- Safety certificate tracking
- Renters’ Rights Act compliance
- Ongoing property management
If you are at all unsure whether your property is fully compliant, now is the time to check — not when a tenant or enforcement officer raises it first.
We are here to help landlords stay protected, avoid unnecessary fines, and manage their properties with confidence in a changing legal landscape.
Call to speak to our lettings advisor on 01525 713111, now is the time many landlords are turning to Love Homes to manage their rental properties keeping them compliant and avoiding fines and council inspections.
We can take over your existing tenancies so their is no need to wait for your tenant to leave!