Renters' Rights Act 2025, Phase 1 commencement
Transition readiness pack
England

Tow Law � County Durham � Renters' Rights Act 2025

Tow Law Landlord Compliance 2026 � County Durham Buy-to-Let Guide

Complete compliance guide for Tow Law and County Durham landlords: Renters' Rights Act 2025, Durham Council licensing, EPC requirements, gas and electrical safety and deposit protection.

9 min readUpdated 27 June 2026Last reviewed: 17 May 2026Tow LawCounty DurhamWeardaleRenters Rights Act 2025

Durham County Council landlord licensing

  • Durham County Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme � verify with the council before letting
  • Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households
  • The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman registration are mandatory from 1 May 2026

Renters' Rights Act 2025 � Tow Law landlord obligations

  • Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished from 1 May 2026
  • 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

  • Minimum EPC Band E � Band C target confirmed for 2030; stone-built properties may require solid wall insulation
  • Annual gas safety check (CP12) by Gas Safe registered engineer
  • Five-yearly EICR � C1/C2 defects fixed within 28 days
  • Deposit protected in DPS, myDeposits or TDS within 30 days

Frequently asked questions

Does Tow Law have selective licensing?+

No. Durham County Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households.

When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Tow Law landlords?+

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026. Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must register on the Property Portal and join the PRS Ombudsman.

Templates recommended in this guide

Put this guide into practice, get the Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement from the LetSafe shop, the regulation-current pack that matches 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
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BundleLS-E-100

New Landlord Starter Pack

Everything a first-time landlord needs to grant a compliant tenancy in England from 1 May 2026, now including the Guarantor Agreement for student and young-professional lets.

Bundle · Save £104.97
£49£153.97
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TransitionLS-E-130

Renters' Rights Act Transition Pack

For landlords who need to migrate existing ASTs onto the new regime. The single most-searched landlord product of 2026.

£39
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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.

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