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As a landlord, staying compliant with property safety laws is more than just a legal requirement — it’s your responsibility to protect your tenants and investment. Without a proper annual safety checklist, you risk fines, voided insurance, and tenant disputes. By implementing a clear process for reviewing safety measures each year, you’ll ensure full landlord property compliance, avoid emergencies, and build long-term trust with your tenants.
This detailed guide walks you through the ultimate landlord checklist for annual safety. Let’s make your rental properties safer, smarter, and 100% compliant.
Every responsible landlord must start their annual safety checklist by ensuring that all legally required certificates are up to date. These documents form the foundation of landlord property compliance in the UK, demonstrating that your rental meets national safety standards.
All gas appliances, flues, and fittings within your property must be inspected every year by a certified Gas Safe engineer. After a successful inspection, you’ll receive a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, which is a legal requirement for all rental properties.
• What to check: Review the expiry date, appliance condition, and any notes or recommendations made during the previous inspection.
• Best practice: Schedule your gas inspection 2 to 4 weeks before the expiry date to prevent any compliance gaps or tenant safety risks.
Regularly updating your Gas Safety Certificate ensures you’re meeting key landlord property compliance obligations while protecting tenant health.
Although the EICR is only legally required every five years, reviewing it annually is a wise move. Annual reviews help you catch any unresolved safety issues that could impact your tenants or breach landlord safety compliance laws.
• What to check: Focus on C1 (danger present) and C2 (potential danger) codes, recommendations for improvements, and follow-ups on previous repairs.
• Pro tip: Re-inspect immediately if you’ve had any major electrical upgrades or installations since the last report.
Including an EICR review in your annual safety checklist is a proactive step toward full landlord property compliance.
While the EPC isn’t renewed annually, you should still review it each year, especially if you’ve made energy upgrades like insulation, double glazing, or boiler replacements. An updated certificate can improve your property’s marketability and help maintain legal compliance under MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards).
• What to review: Confirm that your property still meets the minimum EPC rating of E or higher.
• Improvement tip: Upgrading heating systems, windows, or insulation can boost your rating and lower energy bills for tenants.
Keeping your EPC in check shows you’re serious about sustainability and legal landlord property compliance.
To meet legal requirements and ensure tenant safety, landlords must install and maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Including this task in your annual safety checklist is essential for preventing fire-related emergencies and avoiding legal penalties.
🔥 What the Law Requires:
• Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor of the property.
• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room that contains a fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas boiler or fireplace.
As part of your annual safety checklist, make sure to:
✅ Pro Tip: Keep written records or digital logs of all alarm installations, battery changes, and test results. This documentation may serve as crucial evidence if any incidents arise or if authorities conduct an inspection.
The boiler is often the heart of your rental property’s comfort. Breakdowns in winter can lead to complaints, emergency repairs, and even liability.
What to include:
• Annual boiler servicing (should coincide with your gas safety check)
• Radiators checked for leaks or trapped air
• Thermostats and timers tested for function
• Bleed radiators if heating is inefficient
Landlord property compliance isn’t just about certificates — it includes maintaining heating systems to ensure tenant health and comfort.
Every year, landlords should assess plumbing to avoid costly leaks, water damage, and health risks such as Legionella.
Plumbing checklist:
• Test water pressure in taps and showers
• Look for leaks under sinks, behind toilets, or in external pipes
• Ensure hot water runs at 50°C or above
• Flush out stagnant water if the property has been vacant
💧 Legionella Tip: Consider a Legionella risk assessment if your property has stored water tanks or hasn’t been used recently.
Electrical faults are a leading cause of rental fires. Even if your EICR is valid, it’s essential to check electrical safety every year as part of your landlord property compliance.
Annual Electrical Safety Checklist:
• Examine sockets and switches for cracks or burn marks
• PAT test all landlord-supplied portable appliances
• Look for exposed wires or overloaded circuits
• Replace damaged plugs and inspect light fittings
📸 Quick Tip: Take photos of tested appliances and sockets with dates. Save them digitally to support maintenance records and legal compliance.
👉 Regular checks reinforce safety, meet landlord property compliance standards, and build tenant trust.
Another vital part of your annual safety checklist is document compliance.
Make sure tenants have been provided with:
• The latest “How to Rent” guide (required by law at tenancy start)
• A valid Gas Safety Certificate
• EPC and EICR documents
• Deposit protection certificate and prescribed information
📂 Action Step: Store digital versions of all documents and share updated versions via email.
Each year, conduct a visual fire risk assessment — especially if the property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Fire safety items to check:
• Smoke alarms on all floors
• Fire blankets in kitchens (recommended)
• Fire-resistant furnishings (must comply with Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations)
• Clear exit routes with no obstructions
🚪 If you provide furniture, make sure it carries fire safety labels.
Pests can harm tenant health and quickly breach landlord property compliance. Annual inspections for pests are often overlooked but extremely important.
Look for signs of:
• Mice or rat droppings
• Cockroach trails or eggs
• Wasps nests (especially in lofts or sheds)
• Mould or damp (which attracts pests)
🧹 Clean Tip: Ensure gutters are clear and bins are secure to avoid infestations.
The exterior of your rental property needs just as much attention as the inside.
Exterior checklist:
• Check the roof for missing tiles or leaks
• Clear gutters and downpipes
• Ensure fences and gates are stable
• Inspect paths, stairs, and driveways for trip hazards
• Check that exterior lighting works correctly
🏠 This is essential not only for annual safety checklist goals but also to preserve the property value.
Your tenants are your eyes and ears when you’re not at the property. Open communication can uncover issues you might miss during annual checks.
Best practices:
• Ask tenants if they’ve noticed any new issues
• Remind them how to report maintenance problems
• Offer safety tips or seasonal advice (e.g. frozen pipes in winter)
📞 A quick call or email once or twice a year helps prevent larger issues and shows you’re a proactive landlord.
Failing to follow an annual safety checklist can lead to:
• Legal fines and enforcement action
• Health risks for tenants
• Disputes that delay rent payments or evictions
• Loss of your property licence in some London boroughs
• Damage to your reputation as a landlord
By using this guide, you not only avoid penalties but also promote a safe and positive living experience.
Landlord property compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about protecting people and assets. With an organised annual safety checklist, you’ll:
• Ensure all required documents and tests are up to date
• Avoid emergency repairs and complaints
• Increase tenant retention through better care
• Build long-term credibility as a professional landlord
✅ Take Action Today:
Create a recurring calendar reminder every 12 months, prepare a digital folder for safety documents, and use this checklist during your annual inspection.
