England · Northamptonshire · 2026

Kettering Landlord Compliance 2026 — Renters' Rights Act, North Northamptonshire Council and PRS Obligations

A complete guide to landlord compliance in Kettering in 2026, covering the Renters' Rights Act 2025, North Northamptonshire Council licensing, Awaab's Law, and civil penalties up to £40,000.

8 min readUpdated 27 June 2026Last reviewed: 17 May 2026Renters' Rights ActKetteringNorthamptonshireNorth Northamptonshire Council

Kettering is one of the principal private rented sector markets in the East Midlands, with strong rental demand from the logistics and distribution sector and from healthcare workers at Kettering General Hospital. Since April 2021, landlords in Kettering operate under North Northamptonshire Council — a unitary authority covering the former Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northamptonshire districts.

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 adds national PRS compliance obligations that apply to every Kettering landlord.

Key 2026 obligations

Section 21 abolished — possession via Section 8 with a statutory ground only from 1 May 2026
All new tenancies must use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement — no fixed-term ASTs
Information Sheet must be served on all existing tenants by 31 May 2026 (£7,000 penalty per tenancy)
Mandatory HMO licensing for 5+ occupants/2+ households — check NNC for additional/selective licensing
Civil penalties up to £40,000 for serious RRA 2025 non-compliance
Awaab's Law: mandatory investigation and repair timeframes for damp, mould, and HHSRS hazards
Rent increase via Section 13 Form 4A only — contractual rent review clauses unenforceable
MEES: minimum EPC Band E required; EPC Band C target applies by 2030 for new tenancies

Frequently asked questions

Does Kettering have selective licensing for landlords in 2026?+

Check North Northamptonshire Council's current licensing pages for your specific property address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies England-wide for 5+ occupants/2+ households. NNC may operate selective or additional licensing in designated areas — verify before letting.

Which local authority covers Kettering landlords after the 2021 unitary reorganisation?+

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC), established in April 2021, covers Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northamptonshire. NNC is now the single licensing and enforcement authority for all private rented sector properties across these areas. Check NNC's licensing designation map for each property individually.

Templates recommended in this guide

TenancyLS-E-001

Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement

The new default English tenancy from 1 May 2026. Periodic from day one, with the prescribed written statement of terms built in. Ships with the Form 4A rent-increase notice template and an Information Sheet delivery acknowledgement form so a buying landlord has every Phase-1 compliance document in one pack.

£29

Live now

NoticeLS-E-010

Section 8 Notice Pack (All Grounds)

Every mandatory and discretionary ground on the new 2026 list, pre-labelled with the notice period, arrears threshold, and evidence block.

£19

Live now

NoticeLS-E-011

Section 13 Rent Increase Pack

One legitimate rent rise per 12 months. This pack calculates the permitted increase, drafts the notice, and explains the tribunal referral route.

£19

Live now

Found a gap or disagree with something?

Reply to any LetSafe email or write to Richard@letsafeuk.co.uk. We rewrite guides when we get something wrong, the sooner we hear, the sooner we fix it.

Hand-picked by topic overlap with this guide.

England · West Midlands · 2026

Birmingham Landlord Compliance 2026 — Renters' Rights Act, Selective Licensing and PRS Obligations

A complete guide to landlord compliance in Birmingham in 2026, covering the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Birmingham City Council selective and additional HMO licensing, Awaab's Law, and civil penalties up to £40,000.

England · Greater Manchester · 2026

Manchester Landlord Compliance 2026 — Renters' Rights Act, Selective Licensing and PRS Obligations

A complete guide to landlord compliance in Manchester in 2026, covering the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Manchester City Council selective licensing, student HMO obligations under Ground 4A, Awaab's Law, and civil penalties.

England · Damp, mould, health hazards

Awaab's Law: what private landlords must do about damp and mould

Awaab's Law extends to the PRS in 2026. What the fixed repair timescales are, what counts as a 'prescribed hazard', and how to evidence timely response, including the day-one, 14-day and 'as soon as reasonably practicable' windows.