Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
- Section 21 abolished — possession requires Section 8 with a statutory ground
- Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement required for all new tenancies from 1 May 2026
- Awaab's Law in force — mandatory timeframes for damp, mould, and hazard repairs
- Information Sheet must be served on all existing tenants by 31 May 2026
- Pet request right — respond in writing within 42 days or consent is deemed
- Civil penalties up to £40,000 per offence
- Rent increases via Section 13 Form 4A only
Stoke-on-Trent City Council licensing
Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally. Check with Stoke-on-Trent City Council whether additional or selective licensing applies to your property before letting.
Awaab's Law and Stoke's Victorian terraced stock
Stoke-on-Trent's six towns contain large volumes of pre-1919 terraced housing with known damp, condensation, and cold penetration issues. Emergency hazards require investigation and repair to begin within 24 hours. Document all tenant reports and repair completions in writing.
Sources
This guide is accurate as at 27 May 2026. It is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.