Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
- Section 21 abolished — possession via Section 8 only with a statutory ground
- Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement required for all new tenancies from 1 May 2026
- Awaab's Law in force — mandatory response, investigation, and repair timeframes
- Information Sheet must be served on all existing tenants by 31 May 2026
- Pet request right — respond in writing within 42 days
- Civil penalties up to £40,000 per offence
- Rent increase via Section 13 Form 4A only — once per year maximum
Warrington Borough Council HMO licensing
Mandatory HMO licensing applies for all 5+ occupant properties. Warrington does not currently operate selective or additional licensing. Confirm with the council as schemes can be introduced at short notice. Unlicensed HMO landlords face fines up to £30,000 and rent repayment order exposure.
Awaab's Law and Warrington's post-war housing stock
Warrington's post-war semi-detached and terraced housing carries lower baseline damp risk than Victorian stock, but cavity wall insulation failures (common in 1970s–1990s builds) can cause penetrating damp. Acknowledge all reports in writing, investigate within 14 days, and repair at root cause. Emergency hazards require 24-hour response.
Sources
This guide is accurate as at 31 May 2026. It is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.