Thurrock selective and HMO licensing
Thurrock Council has operated selective licensing in designated areas of Grays and other Thurrock towns across multiple five-year cycles. Always check the current Thurrock Council licensing register before letting.
- Selective licensing applies to ALL privately rented properties in designated areas
- Selective licence conditions include: annual gas safety certificate, 5-yearly EICR, EPC Band E minimum, smoke and CO alarms
- Civil penalty up to �30,000 for operating without a required licence
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5+ persons from 2+ households
Renters' Rights Act 2025
From 1 May 2026, all English tenancies including Grays and Thurrock operate under the RRA 2025 framework:
- Section 21 abolished � all possessions require a statutory ground
- All new lets are periodic from day one
- Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership mandatory before letting
- Rent increases via statutory Section 13 notice only
EPC and safety requirements
Grays' post-war terraced stock has good Band C improvement potential:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E � also required by Thurrock selective licence conditions
- Band C target confirmed for 2030; �15,000 cost cap exemption available if reached without achieving Band C
- Annual gas safety certificate (CP12) and 5-yearly EICR mandatory
- 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