Legal References & Legislation
Complete legal framework for private renting in England, with links to official sources.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Annual gas safety checks required. Certificate (CP12) must be provided within 28 days.
SI 1998/2451 →The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
EICR required every 5 years. C1/C2 faults must be remedied within 28 days.
SI 2020/312 →The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
Smoke alarm on each storey. CO alarm in rooms with fixed combustion appliances (amended 2022).
SI 2015/1693 →The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015 (MEES)
Minimum EPC rating E required. £3,500 cost cap for improvements.
SI 2015/962 →The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012
EPC required before marketing. Valid for 10 years.
SI 2012/3118 →The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006
Specific management duties for all HMOs including fire safety, waste disposal, common areas.
SI 2006/372 →The Licensing of HMOs (Mandatory Conditions) Regulations 2018
Minimum room sizes: 6.51m² single adult, 10.22m² two adults, 4.64m² child under 10.
SI 2018/616 →The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988
All supplied upholstered furniture must meet fire resistance standards.
SI 1988/1324 →The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Notices Regulations 2015
Prescribes information requirements including provision of "How to Rent" guide.
SI 2015/1646 →Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Fire risk assessment required for HMOs and common parts of flats.
SI 2005/1541 →Local Authority Environmental Health
Enforces HHSRS, HMO licensing, and property standards. Can issue improvement notices and fines.
First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
Handles rent disputes, deposit protection penalties, and improvement notices.
Property Tribunal information →Deposit Protection Schemes
DPS, MyDeposits, and TDS handle deposit protection and dispute resolution.
Civil Penalties (up to £30,000)
- • Operating unlicensed HMO
- • Breach of improvement notice
- • Electrical safety failures
- • Breach of banning order
Criminal Prosecution
- • Gas safety violations (unlimited fine)
- • Unlicensed HMO (unlimited fine)
- • Illegal eviction/harassment
- • Fire safety breaches
Rent Repayment Orders
- • Up to 12 months' rent repayment
- • For unlicensed properties
- • Illegal eviction
- • Breach of banning order
Invalid Section 21
- • No EPC or Gas Safety Certificate
- • Deposit not protected
- • No "How to Rent" guide
- • Within 4 months of complaint