Always free for tenants on benefits Free for landlords to list
For landlords

Compliance checklist for letting rooms

Safety certificates, alarms, Right to Rent checks, deposits, licensing and fire safety: what you need before and during a room let in England.

2 min readUpdated 28 Oct 2026

Key points

  • Gas checks every year, electrics at least every five years, and working alarms.
  • Right to Rent checks for every adult, and deposits protected within 30 days.
  • Shared houses need a fire risk assessment for the shared areas.
In this guide

Use this checklist before a tenant moves in and keep it up to date. Requirements can change, so check GOV.UK for the latest rules.

Before the tenant moves in

  • Gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe registered engineer, renewed every year. Give tenants a copy.
  • Electrical safety report (EICR) at least every five years. Give tenants a copy.
  • Smoke alarms on every storey used as living accommodation, and carbon monoxide alarms in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (except gas cookers). Test them on the first day of the tenancy.
  • Right to Rent check for every adult who will live there, including lodgers, using original documents or the online service.
  • Energy Performance Certificate if you're letting the whole property. A single room in a shared house usually doesn't need its own EPC.
  • HMO licence if the property needs one. See HMO licensing explained.
  • A written agreement and any information tenants must be given, such as the government's tenant information sheet.

Deposits

  • Protect a tenancy deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and give the tenant the prescribed information.
  • A holding deposit can be no more than one week's rent.
  • Lodger deposits don't need to be protected, but a written receipt is good practice.

Fire safety in shared houses

  • A fire risk assessment for the shared areas of an HMO.
  • Clear escape routes, and fire doors where needed.
  • Furniture and furnishings that meet fire safety rules.

Ongoing

  • Fix repairs promptly, especially heating, hot water, damp and mould.
  • Assess the risk of legionella in the water system.
  • Give proper notice before visits, except in an emergency.
  • Keep records of certificates, checks and repairs.

Coming in

The Renters' Rights Act is bringing a new landlord database, an ombudsman for private landlords and the Decent Homes Standard for private renting in England. Watch GOV.UK for dates.

Use our printable new tenancy checklist and inventory template.

Quick answers

Do I need to do Right to Rent checks for lodgers?

Yes. In England, Right to Rent checks apply to lodgers and to tenants, for every adult who will live in the property.

Can I upload my certificates to SocialRooms?

Yes. Add them to your listing. Some certificates are required before a listing goes live.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Check GOV.UK or speak to an adviser about your situation.

All landlord guides