The UK rental market is evolving quickly, and for self-managing landlords, keeping up with the rules has never been more important. With the Renters' Reform Bill, new tax reporting requirements, and tighter energy standards all expected to take full effect by 2026, landlords will need to be more organised and data-driven than ever.

Manual paperwork, spreadsheets, and scattered email chains are becoming outdated. Compliance is moving digital, and the landlords who adapt early will be the ones who avoid penalties, maintain good tenant relationships, and protect their investments.

This 2026 compliance checklist outlines what to prepare for — and how togetha, a modern property management platform, helps you stay compliant, efficient, and in control.

1. Preparing for the Full Rollout of the Renters' Rights Bill.

By 2026, the Renters Rights' Bill will be fully implemented. The Bill ends Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and introduces a government-run property portal requiring all landlords to register. It also replaces fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies with periodic tenancies and adds new Section 8 possession grounds.

For self-managing landlords, this means all communications, documentation, and notices must be verifiable and well-organised. Every message could be relevant in a future possession or compliance case.

togetha automatically time-stamps and dates all messages sent through its tenant portal. Every notice, document, or update you share with tenants becomes part of a secure, digital audit trail that you can reference instantly if questions or disputes arise.

2. Data Protection and Secure Record-Keeping

Handling tenant information correctly is essential under UK GDPR rules. Personal data must be stored securely, only accessed when necessary, and deleted or retained according to data protection laws.

Instead of relying on email folders or loose paper copies, landlords can centralise everything using togetha’s digital Vault. All tenancy agreements, safety certificates, deposit records, and ID documents are stored securely in one place. Files are linked to the relevant property and can be retrieved in seconds when needed for compliance or audits.

This makes togetha a simple way to prove data protection compliance, reduce errors, and respond quickly to any information requests.

3. Energy Efficiency and the Return of EPC Standards

Although the EPC “C” target for rentals was delayed, new energy efficiency requirements are still expected before 2026. Upgrading homes and keeping certificates up to date will continue to be a legal and financial priority for landlords.

Missing an EPC renewal or failing to maintain valid certificates can lead to fines or enforcement notices from local councils.

togetha helps landlords stay compliant by automating reminders for EPC renewals, gas safety certificates, and electrical condition reports. Each property has its own compliance calendar, and alerts ensure no deadline or certificate is forgotten.

These automated reminders make it easier to maintain a fully compliant portfolio, saving time and avoiding last-minute stress.

4. Local Licensing and HMO Regulation

Local authorities across the UK continue to expand licensing schemes for both single lets and HMOs. In 2026, more councils are expected to require landlords to register or renew local property licenses.

Managing renewal dates and supporting documentation across multiple properties can quickly become complex.

togetha allows landlords to upload licenses and inspection records directly to the Vault, linking them to the right property. The platform automatically reminds you before licenses expire, giving you time to act.

This structure ensures every property remains compliant with local authority requirements without manual tracking.

5. Fair Housing, Tenant Rights, and Transparent Communication

UK tenancy laws are moving towards greater transparency and fairness. Landlords will be expected to maintain professional communication standards and provide accessible records during disputes.

togetha’s tenant portal captures every message, notice, and file exchange between landlord and tenant with automatic timestamps. You can easily review message histories and prove what was said, when, and by whom.

This transparent digital record is invaluable during deposit disputes, maintenance disagreements, or compliance audits. It protects both parties and creates a clear, verifiable history of each tenancy.

6. Making Tax Digital and Income Reporting

The government’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) scheme is set to apply fully by April 2026. Landlords earning over £50,000 in property income will need to maintain digital records and submit quarterly income updates.

This means manual bookkeeping and paper-based receipts will no longer meet HMRC requirements.

togetha allows landlords to log rent payments, expenses, and maintenance costs automatically. You can export clean, structured data for your accountant or connect it directly to compatible accounting software.

By having financial records stored digitally alongside all property documentation, landlords can simplify tax submissions and reduce errors during reporting.

7. Digital Auditing and Evidence Trails

Compliance is not just about collecting documents; it is about proving you did things correctly and on time. From repair requests to deposit protection, every landlord action leaves a digital footprint.

togetha automatically builds this audit trail for you. Each action, upload, or message is stored with a timestamp and associated with the relevant property and tenant. If you ever face a compliance inspection or dispute, you can produce verified records instantly without sorting through old files or inboxes.

Auditing becomes quick, clear, and verifiable. This level of transparency is what future property regulations will expect by default.

8. Building a Future-Proof Compliance Strategy

By 2026, digital-first compliance will be standard across the private rented sector. Self-managing landlords who rely on manual systems will struggle to keep up with regulatory and administrative demands.

togetha brings professional-level management to independent landlords. It helps you stay compliant by:

• Storing every document securely in the Vault

• Sending automatic reminders for compliance renewals

• Keeping all communications with tenants dated and auditable

• Allowing you to access everything from one dashboard at any time

With togetha, you can manage your portfolio confidently, knowing every property is tracked, documented, and compliant.

Digital transformation is no longer optional in the rental market. It’s the key to staying compliant, organised, and ahead of the 2026 regulations. Book your 20 minute, no-commitment demo today and see how much time and money togetha could save your business.