Housing Act 1988: Primary legislation governing residential tenancies in England and Wales, particularly regarding Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), which is the most common form of residential tenancy
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985: Fundamental legislation setting out the basic rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, including repair responsibilities and implied terms in tenancy agreements
Housing and Planning Act 2016: Modern legislation introducing additional measures for the private rented sector, including provisions for rogue landlords and property agents
Deregulation Act 2015: Legislation affecting Section 21 notices and deposit protection requirements, including changes to the eviction process
Tenant Fees Act 2019: Prohibits most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits for assured shorthold tenancies and student accommodation
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018: Requires landlords to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation at the beginning and throughout the tenancy
Housing Act 2004 (Deposit Protection): Requires tenant deposits to be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt
Gas Safety Regulations 1998: Requires annual gas safety checks and certificates for rental properties with gas installations
Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020: Mandates electrical safety inspections every 5 years and ensures electrical installations are safe for tenants
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015: Requires landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel appliances
Energy Performance Regulations 2012: Requires Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for rental properties and sets minimum energy efficiency standards
Immigration Act 2014 (Right to Rent): Requires landlords to check that tenants have the right to rent property in the UK based on their immigration status
GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Governs how landlords must handle and protect tenants' personal data, including storage, processing, and sharing of information
