From 2025, legislative changes to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will take effect, meaning all newly rented properties in England and Wales will need an EPC rating of at least C.

Changes to Right to Rent checks are on the cards from April this year. A permanent online solution will replace the current regime, allowing checks to continue to be carried out remotely, but with enhanced security, and for all nationalities.

Social and private landlords are to be subject to stricter rules around smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as a new legal requirement is set to be introduced making it compulsory to fit alarms in all types of rented accommodation.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for landlords is something that’s been on the horizon for some time now, but soon it will be time for buy-to-let landlords turning over £10,000 per year plus to begin reporting tax quarterly, and filing online.

As of 1 July 2021, landlords must start checking the immigration status of all adults before they rent a property to them, regardless of their nationality. Failure to do so could result in a fine or prison sentence.

A new government scheme will prevent banks and landlords from pursuing tenants for unpaid debts. Instead they will be offered a period of respite in the shape of time to find a solution to their financial issues.

On 30 September, the government published a consultation which sets out to seek views on proposals around raising energy performance standards for the domestic private rented sector in England and Wales.

Landlords and agents in England will soon be required to ensure that electrical installation inspections and testing are undertaken for all new tenancies 1 July 2020, and for all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.

The National Residential Landlords Association has outlined updates to lettings legislation that will introduce changes during the first half of 2020 that residential landlords and letting agents will need to take on board.

Recent fire safety advice has been made available to landlords and tenants in the form of a new Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors fire safety guide and on the back of Fire Door Safety Week.

The government has announced that gas boilers and other fossil fuel powered heating and hot water systems will be banned in new homes from 2025 in an attempt to tackle climate change.

On 20 March 2019 the Homes (Fitness for Habitation) Act 2018 was introduced. It is designed to ensure that all rented accommodation is fit for human habitation. Here's the lowdown for landlords.