Medway selective and HMO licensing
Medway Council operates selective licensing schemes in designated wards covering Chatham, Gillingham, and Strood. Landlords must check the Medway Council licensing postcode checker before letting. Selective licence conditions require: annual gas safety certificate, 5-yearly EICR, EPC Band E minimum, smoke and CO alarms, and Right to Rent checks.
- Selective licensing applies to ALL privately rented properties in designated wards � not just HMOs
- Civil penalty up to �30,000 or criminal prosecution for operating without a required licence
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with 5+ persons from 2+ households
- Tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order for up to 12 months' rent paid unlicensed
Renters' Rights Act 2025
From 1 May 2026, all English tenancies including Chatham operate under the RRA 2025 framework:
- Section 21 abolished � all possessions must use a statutory ground
- All new lets are periodic from day one � no fixed terms
- Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership mandatory before letting
- Rent increases via statutory Section 13 notice only
EPC and safety requirements
Chatham's Victorian and Edwardian stock may need significant works to reach Band C by 2030:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E � also required by Medway selective licence conditions
- Band C target confirmed for 2030; new lets from 2028 likely to require Band C
- Annual gas safety certificate (CP12) and 5-yearly EICR mandatory � both required for selective licence
- Smoke alarms on every storey; CO alarms in every room with a gas appliance
- Deposit: 5 weeks' rent (rents under �50,000/yr) protected in DPS, myDeposits or TDS within 30 days