Landlord Compliance Checklist for Gloucestershire (2026)

Gloucestershire landlords follow the same national safety rules as the rest of England, but the county also has some important local differences, most notably Gloucester City Council's new additional HMO licensing scheme. This checklist brings everything together in one place. It is general guidance, not legal advice.

The core certificates

Requirement	How often	Key deadline
Gas safety record (CP12)	Every 12 months	Copy to tenants within 28 days; new tenants before move-in
EICR	At least every 5 years	Copy to tenants within 28 days; remedial work within 28 days
EPC	Valid for 10 years	Must be rated E or above (or exempt) before letting
Smoke and CO alarms	Tested on day one of each tenancy	Faults repaired as soon as reasonably practicable

1. Gas safety record

If the property has gas appliances you supply, a Gas Safe registered engineer must check them every 12 months. A check 10 to 12 months after the last one keeps your renewal date. Give existing tenants a copy within 28 days and new tenants a copy before they move in. Keep records for at least two years. Read our full gas safety guide.

2. EICR

The fixed electrical installation must be inspected by a qualified and competent person at least every five years. C1, C2 and FI items must be dealt with within 28 days, and written confirmation sent to the tenant and the council. Councils can impose penalties of up to £30,000. See our EICR rules guide.

3. EPC

You need a valid EPC to market a let, and the property must be band E or above unless a valid exemption is registered. EPC C by 2030 has been confirmed as government policy but is not yet law. Our EPC rules guide explains the proposal.

4. Smoke and CO alarms

A smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation, and a CO alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance except gas cookers. Test them on day one of each tenancy. See our alarm rules guide.

Other legal essentials

Deposit protection: any deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme, with the prescribed information given to the tenant.
Right to Rent: check that adult occupiers have the right to rent in England before the tenancy starts.
Legionella: landlords have a general health and safety duty to assess and control the risk from legionella in the water system.
Fit for human habitation: the property must be free of serious hazards, such as damp and mould, that make it unfit to live in.

What the Renters' Rights Act changed

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 brought major changes into effect in England on 1 May 2026:

Section 21 no-fault evictions have ended. Landlords must use a section 8 notice and a valid ground for possession.
Existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies.
Tenants can end a tenancy with two months' notice.

The Act also creates a national private rented sector database. The government says the "Register your rental property" service opens on 15 December 2026 and rolls out region by region. Under the draft regulations, Gloucestershire is in the South West region, which is expected to be among the last to register, in 2027. Dates are draft and may change. Our PRS Database guide has the latest details, and lists the documents (gas, electrical and energy information) you should have ready for each property.

Local licensing in Gloucestershire

Licensing is set by each district council, so it depends on where the property is. Gloucestershire has six districts: Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Stroud and Tewkesbury.

Mandatory HMO licensing: everywhere

Across England, a house in multiple occupation needs a licence if it is occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. This applies in every Gloucestershire district.

Gloucester City: additional HMO licensing from 21 September 2026

Gloucester City Council's citywide additional licensing scheme came into force on 21 September 2026 and is due to run until 20 September 2031. It covers every ward in the city. It applies to:

HMOs occupied by three or more people forming two or more households that do not already need a mandatory licence (so, in practice, smaller three- and four-person shared houses);
certain buildings converted into self-contained flats that did not meet building regulations at the time and still do not, where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied (section 257 HMOs).

Each qualifying HMO needs its own licence, granted for up to five years. The council says operating a licensable HMO without a licence is an offence, with civil penalties of up to £40,000 or an unlimited fine on conviction. The council extended its early-bird discounted fee to 20 October 2026. Check the council's page for the current fee and how to apply.

Other districts

When we checked in October 2026, the HMO pages for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury described only mandatory HMO licensing, and we did not find a selective or additional licensing scheme for Cotswold, Forest of Dean or Stroud. Councils can introduce new schemes after consultation, so always confirm with the district council for the property before you let. Cheltenham also notes that its HMO licences last up to three years and that it does not send renewal reminders.

Your Gloucestershire checklist

Gas safety record in date, copy sent to tenants.
EICR in date, any C1, C2 or FI items fixed and confirmed to the tenant and council.
EPC valid and rated E or above, or exemption registered.
Smoke alarm on every storey, CO alarm by each fixed combustion appliance, tested at check-in.
Deposit protected and prescribed information given.
Right to Rent checks done and recorded.
HMO? Check mandatory licensing, and in Gloucester City, the additional licensing scheme.
Documents stored together and ready for the PRS Database.

How Severn LetSafe helps

We arrange gas safety certificates (£70), EICRs (from £140), EPCs (£70) and alarm checks (£15) across Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean. Our Register-Ready Pack (£249) gets one property's paperwork in order for the PRS Database. Book now.

Book now

Gas safety certificates £70 · EICRs from £140 · EPCs £70 · alarm checks £15 · Register-Ready Pack £249. Across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Book now See the service

Questions

What certificates does a landlord need in Gloucestershire?

The same as the rest of England: an annual gas safety record if there is gas, an EICR at least every five years, a valid EPC rated E or above (or a registered exemption), and working smoke and CO alarms checked on the first day of each tenancy. Some properties also need an HMO licence.

Does Gloucester have additional HMO licensing?

Yes. Gloucester City Council's citywide additional licensing scheme came into force on 21 September 2026. It covers HMOs occupied by three or more people forming two or more households that do not already need a mandatory licence, plus certain poorly converted blocks of flats.

Do I need a licence for a single family let in Gloucestershire?

Not under any selective licensing scheme we found on the district councils' websites when this guide was written. Licensing rules can change, so always check with the district council for the property's area.

Can I still use section 21 in Gloucestershire?

No. Section 21 no-fault evictions ended across England on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords now need a section 8 ground for possession.

Official sources

Checked 16 October 2026. General guidance for England, not legal advice. See also all regulations & official sources.

Local

Landlord compliance checklist for Gloucestershire