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 given
- Civil penalties up to £40,000 per offence
- Rent increases via Section 13 Form 4A only — once per year maximum
City of York Council HMO licensing and student let obligations
Mandatory HMO licensing applies for 5+ occupants. York does not currently have a city-wide additional licensing scheme but has consulted on one for the student corridor. Ground 4A provides mandatory possession for full-time student lets between June and September, replacing the academic-year certainty of fixed-term ASTs.
Awaab's Law and York's heritage housing stock
York's high proportion of pre-war, listed, and conservation-area properties creates elevated damp and mould risk. Listed building consent may be required for some remediation works — this does not excuse non-compliance but may extend feasible repair timelines. Notify the conservation officer early where listed building complications arise. Document all reports, investigations, and repairs.
Sources
This guide is accurate as at 31 May 2026. It is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.