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Rules changelog

Last updated · 6 May 2026

We update the rules engine on a rolling basis. Each entry below is dated. Reports reflect the rules as at the version printed on the report; later updates do not change reports that were already issued.

How scoring works

Score = max(0, 100 − 15 × critical − 5 × warnings). Warnings carry less weight because they're usually fixable; criticals are often breaches of statute. Fine exposure is the sum of per-finding maximums across critical findings; there is no aggregate cap, so the total reflects the real worst-case statutory exposure on your answers.

Spotted something wrong?

Use the “Flag this finding” button on any report card. We read every flag and update the rule when we've got it wrong.

11 May 2026

Scoring weights aligned with engine

  • Public scoring description corrected to match the rules engine: score = max(0, 100 − 15 × critical − 5 × warnings).
  • Removed the £150,000 aggregate fine cap claim. The engine sums per-finding maximums across critical findings only, with no cap.
  • No rule logic changed; this entry is a documentation fix.
22 April 2026

Fact-check pass against gov.uk

  • Renters' Rights Act 2025 section citations corrected. Pet-request rights are in s 11 (inserting s 16A into Housing Act 1988); abolition of assured shortholds is in s 2 (which also ends the Section 21 route). Main commencement: 1 May 2026.
  • Gas safety penalty updated to reflect HSE prosecution range: unlimited fine on indictment (up to £20,000 in magistrates' court) and up to 2 years' imprisonment.
  • EPC penalty corrected to the current £5,000 cumulative per-property cap under MEES; the £30,000 figure is proposed, not yet in force.
  • MEES target date updated: government has confirmed EPC C for all private rented tenancies by 1 October 2030 (SI expected in force 2027). The earlier "C from 2028 for new tenancies" line was out of date.
  • Smoke & CO alarm wording broadened to reflect SI 2022/707 (in force 1 Oct 2022): CO alarms required in any room used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), plus the repair-on-report duty.
  • Statute titles corrected to include "(England)" where applicable and cite the full SI number: AST Notices and Prescribed Requirements (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1646); Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312).
  • Written-tenancy finding no longer mis-cites LTA 1985 s 1. Now cites the Housing Act 1988 framework and notes that ASTs need not be in writing, though a signed agreement underpins deposit and prescribed-information duties.
  • Licensing database corrected: LS6 removed from Leeds selective scheme (Harehills is LS8/LS9); Westminster's 15-of-18-ward scheme (from 24 Nov 2025) added; Hackney borough-wide schemes correctly dated from 1 May 2026; M1 separated from M14 in Manchester.
12 April 2026

Q2 2026 rule refresh

  • Renters' Rights Act 2025 provisions coming into force through 2026–27 re-checked against the gov.uk guidance notes.
  • Pet-request policy wording refined. "28-day written decision" is now treated as an amber warning rather than a critical failing.
  • Tenant Fees Act deposit cap reaffirmed: 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under £50,000, 6 weeks' rent for £50,000+.
  • Licensing coverage rechecked against the Manchester, Hackney, Leeds and Westminster council registers.
14 January 2026

Q1 2026 rule refresh

  • Section 21 transition timeline added. Rule does not fire until a commencement date is confirmed in law.
  • EPC minimum: held at E for current tenancies; forward-looking warning on the EPC C target consultation.
  • EICR: 5-year validity window re-confirmed, no change to the rule.
10 October 2025

Launch · initial rule set

  • 10 topics, 47 rules covering gas, electrical, EPC, deposit protection, licensing, paperwork, and RRA readiness.
  • Scoring formula: 100 − (10 × critical) − (3 × warning), floored at 0.
  • Fine exposure capped at £150,000 to avoid runaway per-offence arithmetic.