Borehamwood is a large town in the Hertsmere Borough of Hertfordshire, situated on the northern fringe of Greater London. It shares the Elstree and Borehamwood area with Elstree village and Borehamwood town centre, which hosts the Elstree Studios — home to major film and television productions. The rental market is driven by London commuters (Thameslink to St Pancras in 18–22 minutes), media and entertainment industry workers, and proximity to the M25/M1 transport corridor. Entry prices for terraced houses range from £320,000–£480,000 with gross yields of 4–5.5%.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025, in force from 1 May 2026, applies to all private rented properties in England including Borehamwood. It abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions, converts all tenancies to periodic from day one, introduces mandatory possession grounds, and requires landlord registration on a new Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman membership before any property can be let.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Borehamwood landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Borehamwood operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 framework:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions now require a statutory ground from the new Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
- Fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted for new lets from 1 May 2026 — all tenancies are periodic from the first day
- Tenants can end any tenancy with two months' written notice at any time
- Property Portal registration is mandatory before any property can be let — the Portal opens 1 May 2026
- PRS Ombudsman membership is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all private landlords in England
- Rent increases must use the statutory Section 13 notice — contractual rent review clauses have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for Borehamwood landlords:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E — properties below Band E cannot be let without a valid PRS Exemptions Register entry
- EPC Band C is confirmed government policy for 2030 — new lets from 2028 are likely to require Band C
- Borehamwood's post-war semi-detached and terraced housing stock generally has good potential for improvement to Band C via cavity wall and loft insulation, and boiler replacement
- Properties with district heating systems (common in some estate developments) should obtain a specific EPC assessor familiar with communal heat metering
- Commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment if your certificate is over 5 years old — methodology changes may result in a different rating
Gas safety obligations
Gas safety requirements for all Borehamwood rental properties with gas appliances:
- Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer — mandatory under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be provided to new tenants before they occupy the property and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual check
- Failure to carry out an annual gas safety check is a criminal offence
- Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in every room with a gas appliance — mandatory under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Retain gas safety records for at least two years
Electrical safety obligations
Electrical installation condition requirements for Borehamwood landlords:
- Five-yearly EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) — mandatory for all private rented properties in England
- Provide the EICR to new tenants before occupation and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Code C1 (immediate danger) and C2 (potentially dangerous) defects must be remedied within 28 days
- Smoke alarms required on every storey of the property
- Confirmation of remedial electrical works must be provided to the tenant and to Hertsmere Borough Council on request
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Borehamwood landlords:
- All deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme — DPS, myDeposits or TDS — within 30 days of receipt
- Prescribed Information must be served on the tenant within 30 days
- Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under £50,000; 6 weeks' rent for annual rents over £50,000
- In Borehamwood's market — where rents are relatively high compared to the national average — verify your deposit does not exceed the 5 weeks cap
- Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit
Hertsmere Borough Council licensing
Licensing requirements for Borehamwood landlords:
- Hertsmere Borough Council does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing or additional HMO licensing scheme
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Hertsmere Borough Council
- HMO licence conditions include minimum room sizes (6.51 m²), Grade D LD2 fire detection, annual gas safety certificate and 5-yearly EICR
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman registration (mandatory from 1 May 2026) are separate from local council licensing
- Always verify current licensing requirements with Hertsmere Borough Council before purchasing or letting in the area
Frequently asked questions
Does Borehamwood have selective licensing?+
No. Hertsmere Borough Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme for private rented properties. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always verify with Hertsmere Borough Council directly for any new schemes introduced after the date of this guide.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Borehamwood landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Borehamwood. From that date, Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must register on the Property Portal and join the PRS Ombudsman before letting any property.
What EPC band does my Borehamwood rental property need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target by 2030. Borehamwood's post-war housing stock has good improvement potential — cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and a modern boiler are typically sufficient to reach Band C from D. Commission a fresh assessment if your certificate is over 5 years old.
Is Borehamwood a good buy-to-let location?+
Borehamwood offers 4–5.5% gross yields on strong Thameslink connectivity to London St Pancras (18–22 minutes). It suits investors prioritising capital security and low void rates over headline yield. The media and entertainment sector (Elstree Studios) and M25 corridor employment support a professional tenant demographic. Compliant, well-managed properties perform well in this market.