Fareham is a borough and market town in south Hampshire, positioned on the M27 corridor between Portsmouth (7 miles east) and Southampton (12 miles west). The rental market benefits from proximity to Portsmouth Naval Base — the UK's largest naval base and a major employer of service personnel — as well as Southampton Port and Airport employment and the M27 technology and logistics corridor. Entry prices for terraced houses range from £190,000–£280,000 with gross yields of 5–7%.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025, in force from 1 May 2026, applies to all private rented properties in England including Fareham. 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 Fareham landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Fareham operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 framework. The main changes for Fareham landlords are:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — possession now requires 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
- 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 be processed via the statutory Section 13 notice — contractual rent review clauses in tenancy agreements have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for Fareham landlords in 2026:
- 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, with new lets from 2028 likely to require Band C
- Fareham's housing stock includes many 1950s–1970s terraces and semi-detached properties that may require cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and boiler replacement to reach Band C
- The £15,000 proposed cost cap applies per property — if £15,000 is spent without reaching Band C, a cost cap exemption can be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register
- Commission a fresh RdSAP 10 EPC assessment if your certificate is over 5 years old — methodology changes may result in a different rating than your previous assessment
Gas safety obligations
Gas safety requirements for all Fareham 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 under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Gas safety records must be retained for at least two years and produced to the local authority or HSE on request
Electrical safety obligations
Electrical safety requirements for Fareham rental properties:
- Five-yearly EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) by a qualified electrician — mandatory for all private rented properties in England
- Provide the EICR to new tenants before they occupy the property 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 of the EICR
- Confirmation of any remedial electrical work must be provided to the tenant and to Fareham Borough Council on request
- Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the property
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Fareham landlords:
- All deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme — DPS, myDeposits or TDS — within 30 days of receipt
- The 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
- Failure to protect the deposit or serve Prescribed Information prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit amount
- Holding deposits are capped at 1 week's rent and must be returned within 15 days or credited against the tenancy deposit
Fareham Borough Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Fareham:
- Fareham Borough Council does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing or additional HMO licensing scheme
- Mandatory HMO licensing under the Housing Act 2004 applies to all properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Fareham Borough Council
- HMO licence conditions include minimum sleeping 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 requirements (mandatory from 1 May 2026) are separate from local council licensing
- Always verify current licensing requirements with Fareham Borough Council as schemes can be introduced at any time
Military and MOD tenant considerations
Fareham and south Hampshire landlords letting to service personnel should be aware of:
- Service personnel deployed on operational duties may be able to end a tenancy early under the Armed Forces (Tenancy Agreements) Regulations — check the current provisions before creating a tenancy
- Ministry of Defence accommodation-backed tenancies (SLA/SSFA) are governed by separate rules — this guide covers privately rented tenancies
- Military postings mean voids can occur without much notice — landlords should factor this into void cover insurance arrangements
- Forces Help to Buy loans mean many military tenants will eventually become owner-occupiers — good property management and compliance helps retain good tenants during their posting cycle
- Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and military charities can refer tenants to private landlords — maintaining a compliant, well-managed portfolio helps build referral relationships
Frequently asked questions
Does Fareham have selective licensing?+
No. Fareham 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 Fareham Borough Council directly for any new schemes after the date of this guide.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Fareham landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Fareham. From that date, Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must be registered on the Property Portal and a member of the PRS Ombudsman before letting any property.
What EPC band does my Fareham rental property need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum requirement. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target for all rented properties by 2030. Fareham's 1950s–1970s housing stock may require cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and heating improvements to reach Band C. Commission a fresh assessment under RdSAP 10 to establish your current rating and the most cost-effective route to Band C.
Are there special rules for letting to military tenants in Fareham?+
Standard residential tenancy law applies to all privately rented properties in Fareham. However, service personnel deployed on operations may have specific statutory rights to end a tenancy early — these are governed by the Armed Forces (Tenancy Agreements) Regulations. Landlords should check the current provisions and consider this when drafting tenancy agreements for military tenants.