Halifax sits at the heart of Calderdale, a former textile mill town and market centre forming part of the wider West Yorkshire conurbation. The private rented sector in Calderdale is significant, with Halifax and the surrounding towns of Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Brighouse, and Hebden Bridge offering rental yields that typically outperform Leeds and Bradford. The housing stock is predominantly pre-1919 gritstone terrace housing — properties that carry specific damp, cold bridging, and insulation challenges relevant to Awaab's Law compliance.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 adds a national compliance layer to Calderdale's existing HMO licensing requirements. This guide addresses both sets of obligations, with specific attention to the practical issues Halifax's older housing stock creates for PRS landlords.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
All Halifax and Calderdale private landlords must comply with these national changes from 1 May 2026:
- Section 21 abolished: No-fault eviction notices served on or after 1 May 2026 are unlawful. All possession must use Section 8 and one of the revised Schedule 2 statutory grounds
- Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement required: All new tenancies from 1 May 2026 must use a PAT-compliant agreement. Fixed-term ASTs are no longer available for new private residential lets in England
- Awaab's Law in force: Mandatory statutory timeframes for responding to, investigating, and repairing damp, mould, and other HHSRS hazards — particularly relevant to Halifax's pre-war housing stock
- Information Sheet obligation: Every landlord with an existing tenancy as at 1 May 2026 must deliver the official RRA 2025 Information Sheet to every named tenant by 31 May 2026. Penalty: up to £7,000 per tenancy
- Pet request right: Tenants on PATs have the right to request a pet. Landlords must respond in writing within 42 days or consent is deemed given
- Civil penalties up to £40,000: Maximum civil penalties for PRS non-compliance increased to £40,000 per offence
- Rent increase via Section 13 only: Rent on a PAT can only be raised via formal Section 13 notice (Form 4A). Contractual rent-review clauses in new agreements are unenforceable
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council HMO licensing
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council administers HMO licensing across the whole district, including Halifax, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Brighouse, and Hebden Bridge.
- Mandatory HMO licensing: All properties in Calderdale occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households require a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. This is a national requirement administered locally by Calderdale Council
- Selective and additional licensing: Calderdale Council retains the power to introduce selective licensing in areas of low housing demand or significant anti-social behaviour, and additional licensing for smaller HMOs. Landlords should check the council's current licensing register and any consultation documents, as designation decisions can change
- HMO licence conditions: Licence conditions specify minimum room sizes (6.51 m² per single adult sleeping room), fire detection grade and coverage, emergency lighting, kitchen and bathroom ratios, and maximum occupancy. Breach of licence conditions is a criminal offence
- No-licence bar: Operating a licensable HMO without a licence prevents valid service of Section 8 notices on Ground 8 (rent arrears) and exposes the landlord to rent repayment orders of up to 12 months' rent
- HMO planning: Properties converting to HMO use in Article 4 direction areas require planning permission. Check Calderdale Council's planning portal before converting a family home to shared occupancy
Awaab's Law — Halifax context
Halifax and the wider Calderdale district are characterised by pre-1919 gritstone terrace housing with solid external walls and limited original insulation. This building type is prone to penetrating damp, condensation, and cold bridging. Awaab's Law creates strict repair obligations regardless of the cause of damp or mould.
- Acknowledge every report in writing: All damp, mould, or HHSRS hazard reports must be acknowledged in writing. Verbal acknowledgments do not satisfy the statutory obligation
- Investigate within 14 days: Attend the property within the statutory investigation period, identify the root cause (penetrating damp from solid walls, rising damp, or condensation from insufficient heating and ventilation), and document findings
- Repair within the repair period: The repair must address the underlying cause of the hazard, not merely treat the visible mould. Surface treatments applied without resolving the moisture source will not satisfy Awaab's Law
- Emergency hazards — 24 hours: Burst pipes causing structural damp, failed heating in cold weather, and immediately dangerous conditions must be addressed within 24 hours
- Stone-built properties: Halifax's gritstone terraces are susceptible to moisture ingress through failed mortar pointing, defective gutters, and cracked roof slates. Pre-let pointing and roof inspections are strongly recommended. Gutter and downpipe maintenance are HHSRS compliance obligations
- Document everything: Retain records of all reports, inspection notes, contractor instructions, invoices, and completion photographs. These are essential for any enforcement defence or rent repayment order challenge
EPC and energy efficiency — Halifax obligations
Halifax's older housing stock creates specific EPC compliance challenges. The minimum EPC Band E applies to all lettings in England.
- Minimum EPC Band E: No property may be let with an EPC rating below Band E. A cost cap of £3,500 applies where works to achieve Band E would exceed this amount — register an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register before letting
- EPC Band C target: Government policy targets EPC Band C for new private tenancies by 2030. Halifax's gritstone terrace stock, with limited cavity wall insulation options, will typically require external or internal solid wall insulation, improved glazing, and heating upgrades
- Warm Homes Plan funding: Government-funded energy efficiency grants may be available through local authority delivery schemes in Calderdale. Check the council's energy efficiency pages for current funding opportunities
- Gas safety: Annual gas safety inspections (CP12 certificates) are mandatory for all gas appliances and flues. Provide a copy to tenants at the start of each tenancy and within 28 days of each annual check
Key documents Halifax landlords need
LetSafe UK provides all compliance documents for England landlords — each drafted to current RRA 2025 requirements:
- Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (England): PAT-compliant tenancy agreement for all new Halifax lettings from 1 May 2026 — includes all prescribed information, pet clause, and RRA 2025 clauses
- Section 8 Notice (Form 3A): RRA 2025-compliant Form 3A for all possession proceedings — updated for all mandatory and discretionary grounds
- Section 13 Rent Increase Notice (Form 4A): The only lawful method of raising rent on a PAT — 2-month advance notice with First-tier Tribunal appeal rights
- RRA 2025 Information Sheet: Required for all existing tenants — must have been served by 31 May 2026 to avoid £7,000 penalties per tenancy
Frequently asked questions
Does Calderdale Council have selective licensing for Halifax landlords?+
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council does not currently operate a widespread selective licensing scheme. The mandatory HMO licensing regime under the Housing Act 2004 applies to all properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households across the district. Landlords should check the Calderdale Council website for the current licensing position and any forthcoming consultations — the council retains the power to introduce selective or additional licensing designations at any time.
How does Awaab's Law affect Halifax landlords with stone terrace properties?+
Halifax's pre-1919 gritstone terraces are prone to moisture ingress through solid walls, failed mortar pointing, and roofing defects. Under Awaab's Law (in force from 1 May 2026), landlords must acknowledge all damp or mould reports in writing and investigate within 14 days. The repair must address the underlying cause — not just the surface mould. Halifax landlords need robust pre-let inspections, prompt maintenance, and clear written records of all hazard reports and repairs to avoid civil penalties and rent repayment orders.
Can I still use a fixed-term tenancy agreement for Halifax lettings in 2026?+
No. Fixed-term ASTs are abolished for all new private residential tenancies in England from 1 May 2026. All new Halifax lettings must use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (PAT). Existing fixed-term tenancies continue until they expire and then automatically become periodic assured tenancies.
What is the penalty for not serving the Information Sheet on Halifax tenants?+
The RRA 2025 Information Sheet must have been served on all named tenants in existing tenancies by 31 May 2026. Failure to serve by the deadline is a civil penalty offence carrying a fine of up to £7,000 per tenancy. If you have not yet served the Information Sheet, do so immediately and keep clear evidence of service — date, method, and the names of tenants who received it.