Compliance Cost Calculator
Calculate annual compliance costs for your property portfolio
Work out your annual compliance costs including gas safety certificates, EICR, EPC, landlord licenses, and insurance. Get a breakdown by requirement type and see potential penalties for non-compliance.
Compliance Cost Reference
Gas Safety Certificate
- Frequency: Annual (every 12 months)
- Cost: £60-£90 per property
- Required: Only if property has gas appliances
- Engineer: Must be Gas Safe registered
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
- Frequency: Every 5 years
- Cost: £150-£250 per property
- Annual equivalent: £30-£50/year
- Required: All rental properties
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
- Frequency: Every 10 years
- Cost: £60-£120 per property
- Annual equivalent: £6-£12/year
- Minimum rating: E (C from October 2030)
Landlord Licensing
- Frequency: Every 5 years
- Cost: £500-£1,000 per property (London/selective)
- Annual equivalent: £100-£200/year
- Applies to: HMOs, selective licensing areas, some London boroughs
Landlord Insurance
- Frequency: Annual
- Cost: £200-£400 per property
- Covers: Building, liability, loss of rent, legal expenses
- Note: Not legally required but strongly recommended
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are these cost estimates?
The calculator uses typical market rates as of 2026. Actual costs vary by location, property size, and service provider. London and South East typically cost 10-20% more than the national average.
What happens if I don't comply?
Non-compliance can result in fines up to £30,000 per offence, rent repayment orders (up to 12 months rent), and criminal prosecution. You also cannot serve Section 8 notice or use Section 21 (until abolished) if certificates aren't in place.
Can I reduce these costs?
Some ways to reduce costs: use the same engineer for multiple properties (bulk discount), book renewals in advance, compare quotes from multiple providers, join a landlord association for member discounts, and maintain properties well to avoid remedial work.
Do I need all these certificates for every property?
Gas Safety and EICR: Required for all rental properties (gas only if appliances present). EPC: Required for all rentals, must be E or above. Licensing: Only required in designated areas or for HMOs. Insurance: Not legally required but essential protection.
How much do penalties cost?
Gas Safety breach: up to £5,000 fine + 6 months prison. EICR breach: up to £30,000 fine. EPC breach: £200-£5,000 civil penalty. Licensing breach: unlimited fine + rent repayment order. Lost Section 8/21 rights: cannot be valued but can cost thousands in delays.
What's included in landlord insurance?
Typical landlord insurance covers: building insurance (fire, flood, damage), public liability (injuries), contents insurance (your items), loss of rent (if property becomes uninhabitable), and legal expenses (eviction, disputes). Always check your specific policy.
Do costs increase with more properties?
Certificate costs scale linearly with property count. However, many engineers offer discounts for multiple properties (typically 10-15% for 3+ properties). Insurance may also offer multi-property discounts.
When do I need a landlord license?
You need a license if: your property is a mandatory HMO (3+ storeys, 5+ people, 2+ households), your property is in a selective licensing area (check local council), or you're in certain London boroughs. Check with your local council.
Can I pass these costs to tenants?
You cannot charge tenants separately for compliance certificates - these are landlord responsibilities. However, you can factor compliance costs into your rent amount when setting or reviewing rents (subject to market rates and Section 13 rules).
What changes are coming in 2026?
Key changes: Section 21 abolished (1 May 2026) making compliance even more critical, Making Tax Digital mandatory for £50k+ landlords (April 2026), PRS Database launching (late 2026), and continued energy efficiency requirements (EPC C by 2030).