Landlord Compliance Chichester 2026 — West Sussex Cathedral City Buy-to-Let Obligations Guide

Chichester District Council landlord licensing

Licensing requirements for Chichester landlords:

• Chichester District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme — always verify the current position with the council before letting
• Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Chichester District Council
• HMO licence conditions include minimum room sizes, fire detection, annual gas safety certificate, 5-yearly EICR, and deposit protection
• The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman registration are mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all assured tenancies
• Selective licensing can be introduced by any council with 10 weeks' consultation notice — check Chichester District Council's website before letting

Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Chichester landlords

From 1 May 2026, all assured residential tenancies in England including Chichester operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025:

• Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions must use a statutory ground from the revised Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
• Fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted for new lets from 1 May 2026 — all assured 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 assured tenancy property can be let — register at the gov.uk Property Portal
• PRS Ombudsman membership is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all English landlords granting assured tenancies
• Rent increases must use the statutory Section 13 notice on Form 4A — contractual rent review clauses have no effect

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements

EPC compliance for Chichester 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
• Chichester city centre has a high proportion of Georgian and Victorian properties — many will require insulation or heating system upgrades to reach Band C
• Conservation area status applies to much of central Chichester — planning consent may be needed for external insulation or visible upgrades
• Commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment if your certificate is over 5 years old — historic properties may qualify for conservation area planning exemptions on the PRS Exemptions Register

Gas and electrical safety

Safety certificate requirements for Chichester rental properties:

• Annual gas safety check (CP12) by a Gas Safe registered engineer — mandatory under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
• CP12 must be provided to new tenants before occupation and to existing tenants within 28 days of each annual check
• Five-yearly EICR — mandatory for all private rented properties in England; code C1/C2 defects must be fixed within 28 days
• Smoke alarms required on every storey; carbon monoxide alarms in every room with a fixed combustion appliance
• Period properties in central Chichester should be prioritised for EICR given their age and potential wiring heritage

Deposit protection

Tenancy deposit obligations for Chichester 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 of receiving the deposit
• Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent for annual rents under £50,000; 6 weeks' rent for annual rents over £50,000
• Chichester's higher rental values may trigger the 6-week deposit cap — calculate carefully before requesting the deposit
• Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit

Chichester buy-to-let investment case

Buy-to-let fundamentals for Chichester investors:

• Gross yields of 4–6% on entry prices of £250,000–£500,000 — cathedral city with strong professional and student tenant demand and low void periods
• University of Chichester (city centre campus on College Lane; Bognor Regis campus) generates consistent student demand — HMO licences can enhance yield for multi-occupancy houses near university buildings
• Goodwood Estate (motor circuit, Festival of Speed, horse racing) and Chichester Festival Theatre drive seasonal short-let demand — many landlords operate hybrid models
• A27 dual carriageway provides direct commuter access to Portsmouth (18 miles), Brighton (30 miles), and Southampton (40 miles) — widening tenant base beyond local employment
• No selective licensing currently simplifies compliance — conservation area constraints on EPC upgrades create a barrier to entry that supports long-term capital values in central Chichester

Frequently asked questions