Resources
The official places to check certificates, deposits, owners, agents and the law — every one free unless it says otherwise
These are the sources, not ours: each link opens the official site in a new tab. Nothing you type there comes back here, and nothing is tracked. What each one can and cannot tell you is written under it — a certificate that is not on any register has to come from the landlord.
Certificates and safety — what the landlord must hold
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — England & WalesFree. Type the postcode, pick the address, read the current EPC, its rating and expiry. A rented home must have one; from 2020 it must be band E or better unless exempt.www.gov.ukEPC register — ScotlandFree. The Scottish register, searched by postcode.www.scottishepcregister.org.ukGas Safe Register — check an engineer or businessFree. Check the registration number on your gas safety record (CP12). There is no public register of the certificates themselves — the landlord must give you a copy within 28 days of the check and before you move in.www.gassaferegister.co.ukElectrical safety (EICR) — NICEIC contractor checkFree. Confirms the electrician who signed your Electrical Installation Condition Report is registered. No public register of EICRs exists — the landlord must give you the report within 28 days.www.niceic.comNAPIT — registered installer searchFree. The other main registration body for electricians.search.napit.org.ukElectrical Safety First — tenants' rightsPlain-English guide to the 2020 electrical safety regulations for private rentals.www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.ukHow to Rent — the government guideFree. The landlord must give you the current version at the start of the tenancy; if they did not, a section 21 notice cannot be used.www.gov.uk
Deposits
Tenancy deposit protection — the rulesWhat the landlord must do within 30 days, the prescribed information, and the 1–3× penalty if they did not.www.gov.ukDeposit Protection Service (DPS) — is my deposit protected?Free check by postcode, surname and tenancy start.www.depositprotection.comTenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)Free check, and their free dispute resolution.www.tenancydepositscheme.commydepositsFree check, and their dispute service.www.mydeposits.co.uk
Who owns and who manages
Companies House — search the registerFree. Any agent or landlord company: officers, registered address, accounts, filing history, whether it is active.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.ukHM Land Registry — who owns a property£7 for the title register: the registered owner, and any mortgage or charges.www.gov.ukProperty Ombudsman — is my agent a member?Free. Every letting agent in England must belong to a redress scheme; check here first.www.tpos.co.ukProperty Redress Scheme — member checkFree. The other approved redress scheme.www.theprs.co.ukRent Smart Wales — landlord and agent registerFree. Every landlord and agent in Wales must be registered and licensed.www.rentsmart.gov.walesScottish Landlord RegisterFree. Every private landlord in Scotland must be registered.www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.ukLondon rogue landlord and agent checkerFree. Enforcement action taken by London boroughs.www.london.gov.ukFind your local councilThe council's private-sector housing team enforces licensing, disrepair and harassment; start here.www.gov.uk
Rent, notices and the law
Rent increases — the rules and section 13When rent can go up, how much notice, and the form (Form 4) a section 13 notice must use.www.gov.ukHousing Act 1988 — section 13 (rent increases)The statute itself, on legislation.gov.uk.www.legislation.gov.ukTenant Fees Act 2019Which fees are banned, and what can be charged.www.legislation.gov.ukLandlord and Tenant Act 1985 — section 11 (repairs)The landlord's repairing obligation.www.legislation.gov.ukHomes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018The right to a home fit to live in, and the claim it gives you.www.legislation.gov.ukProtection from Eviction Act 1977Harassment and illegal eviction — criminal offences.www.legislation.gov.ukDeregulation Act 2015Retaliatory eviction rules, and the certificates a section 21 depends on.www.legislation.gov.ukCounty Courts Act 1984 — section 69 (interest)The power to award the simple interest this site's calculator works out.www.legislation.gov.ukRenters' Rights Act — search legislation.gov.ukThe reforms replacing section 21 and fixed terms; check here for the text and what is in force.www.legislation.gov.uk
Taking it further
BunTool — free court bundle makerFree, open source, made by a solicitor. Upload your PDFs and it builds one paginated, bookmarked, indexed court bundle — the single continuous file the court wants. Runs in your browser.buntool.co.ukMake a court claim for moneyHow a small claim works, the fees, and Money Claim Online.www.gov.ukMoney Claim OnlineIssue the claim yourself, online.www.moneyclaim.gov.ukHelp with court feesFee remission if you are on a low income or benefits.www.gov.ukCounty court formsEvery form, including N1 (claim) and N9 (response).www.gov.ukHousing tribunals — First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)Rent repayment orders, rent challenges, licensing appeals, leasehold disputes.www.gov.ukHousing OmbudsmanComplaints about social landlords and housing associations.www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk
Free advice
Shelter — housing adviceThe most complete free guide to renting rights in England; emergency helpline too.england.shelter.org.ukCitizens Advice — housingFree advice, online and in person.www.citizensadvice.org.ukLaw Centres NetworkFree legal help for those who cannot afford a solicitor.www.lawcentres.org.ukAdvicenowPlain-English guides to going to court without a lawyer.www.advicenow.org.uk
Savvy Renter — savvyrenter.co.uk · a free tool from Compliance Conduit (complianceconduit.com). Links checked September 2026; if one has moved, the site's own search will find the page.