Question 1

What is the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and when does it affect me?

Accepted Answer

It's the most significant overhaul of the private rental sector in 30 years. The first phase comes into force on 1 May 2026. Key changes: Section 21 abolished, all tenancies become periodic, fines doubled, and a new PRS Database. By 2027 Awaab's Law extends to private rentals.

Question 2

What's the 31 May 2026 Information Sheet deadline?

Accepted Answer

Every existing tenant must receive a prescribed written Information Sheet about their new rights under the RRA. Miss it and the civil penalty is £7,000 per property.

Question 3

Will I still be able to evict a tenant after 1 May 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only via Section 8 grounds. Section 21 is gone. Grounds for possession have been expanded but are tougher to evidence — your paper trail matters more than ever.

Question 4

What is Awaab's Law and does it apply to private landlords?

Accepted Answer

Statutory timeframes for responding to housing hazards. Currently social housing only; expected to extend to private rentals from 2027 under Phase 3 of the RRA. Emergency hazards: 24 hours. Significant: investigation in 10 working days.

Question 5

When does MEES EPC C kick in and what will it cost me?

Accepted Answer

EPC C minimum is proposed for new tenancies from 2028 and all tenancies from 2030. There's a £10,000 cost cap on qualifying expenditure per property, with exemptions available where works are impractical.

Question 6

What is the PRS Database and when do I need to register?

Accepted Answer

A new central register of landlords and properties, expected to go live in autumn 2026. Registration will be a condition of letting and councils will use it for enforcement targeting.

Question 7

What certificates am I actually legally required to hold?

Accepted Answer

At minimum: Gas Safety (annual), EICR (5-year), EPC (10-year), Right to Rent checks, deposit protection certificate, How to Rent guide. HMOs add Fire Risk Assessment, Legionella, and licence-specific items.

Question 8

How often does each certificate need renewing?

Accepted Answer

Gas Safety: 12 months. EICR: 5 years. EPC: 10 years. Legionella: annually. FRA: annually (HMO). Smoke and CO alarms: tested at start of every tenancy.

Question 9

What happens if I miss a certificate renewal?

Accepted Answer

Best case: a council improvement notice. Worst case: criminal prosecution and an invalidated Section 8. Even a satisfactory EICR done late doesn't retrospectively cover the gap.

Question 10

Do I need a Legionella risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's a written assessment, not a lab test. Required under HSE ACOP L8 for all rental properties. Insurers ask for it, councils ask for it, and absence of one is the easiest reason to decline a claim.

Question 11

What is an FRA and do I need one for a single-let?

Accepted Answer

A Fire Risk Assessment. Required for HMO common parts and any house in multiple occupation. Single-let houses don't require a formal FRA, but smoke/CO alarm checks at every tenancy start are mandatory.

Question 12

Can you help with HMO licensing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we deliver the FRA, fire-door inspection, and all required certificates in a council-ready format. We don't do the licence application itself but we provide every supporting document.

Question 13

How quickly can I get a Gas Safety cert through the network?

Accepted Answer

Most verified specialists offer same-week booking, often within 3 working days.

Question 14

Do I have to subscribe to use Doddle Compliance?

Accepted Answer

No. The dashboard is free forever for up to 3 properties. Specialists are bookable directly through their verified profile.

Question 15

Who delivers the actual work?

Accepted Answer

Verified specialists in our network — Gas Safe, NICEIC/NAPIT, PCA, accredited DEAs, BAFE assessors, etc. Doddle Compliance is the dashboard and the directory, not the engineer.

Question 16

What area do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Every UK postcode in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Question 17

Can I switch between Free and Pro?

Accepted Answer

Yes, anytime. No minimum term.

Question 18

Are there call-out fees?

Accepted Answer

Specialists publish their own fees. Doddle Compliance does not add booking or call-out charges on top.

Question 19

Can my letting agent use Doddle Compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes — white-label partnerships from £299/month per branch. See For Letting Agents.

Question 20

A tenant has reported mould. What are my first 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge in writing, log the report, and book a proper inspection within 48 hours. Take it seriously even if it looks like condensation. Our Damp Playbook walks through the first 48 hours.

Question 21

Is mould always my responsibility as a landlord?

Accepted Answer

Not always — but it's your responsibility to investigate and evidence cause. Tenant lifestyle can contribute, but you can't dismiss it without a written assessment.

Question 22

Will you recommend chemical DPC or ventilation?

Accepted Answer

Whichever the evidence supports. Most UK rental damp is condensation. Chemical DPC is the right answer in maybe 1 in 20 cases. We don't sell what you don't need.

Question 23

Can you handle the remediation, not just the report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If we deliver the works we credit £100 against the report fee.

Question 24

What happens if the council writes to me?

Accepted Answer

Forward the letter. We'll have your evidence ready and we can correspond with the EHO on your behalf if you're a Gold-plan client.

Question 25

Why pay for Doddle Pro instead of just calling a handyman?

Accepted Answer

A handyman fixes problems. Doddle Compliance prevents missed deadlines. Pro is cheaper than one missed renewal.

Question 26

What credentials do specialists hold?

Accepted Answer

Gas Safe for gas. NICEIC / NAPIT for electrical. Accredited DEAs for EPC. PCA / CSRT for damp. BAFE / IFE for fire risk. UKAS-aligned labs for asbestos. We verify before listing.

Question 27

What insurance do you carry?

Accepted Answer

Public Liability £5m, Professional Indemnity £1m, Employers' Liability where applicable. Certificates available on request.

Question 28

Who actually owns Doddle Compliance?

Accepted Answer

It's a UK limited company owned by the two named founders. No private equity, no franchise master, no external agenda.

Question 29

What if I'm not happy?

Accepted Answer

Tell us. If we've got it wrong we'll fix it or refund. Cancel any plan in writing with one month's notice.

Thirty straight answers.

What's changing

On compliance

On our service

Damp and mould

Pricing, contracts and trust