Since the unitary authority reorganisation in April 2021, Kettering landlords fall under North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) — a combined authority covering Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northamptonshire. The NNC has consolidated the enforcement and licensing powers of the four predecessor district councils, with Environmental Health and Private Sector Housing enforcement covering the entire North Northamptonshire area.
Kettering's rental market is characterised by strong demand from the logistics and distribution sector, with significant employer presence from companies operating along the A14 corridor and at Kettering's industrial estates. The town also has a substantial healthcare sector, with Kettering General Hospital as a major employer. This guide covers compliance obligations for landlords across North Northamptonshire in 2026.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
All private landlords in England — including those in Kettering — must comply with the following from 1 May 2026:
- Section 21 abolished: No-fault eviction notices served on or after 1 May 2026 are unlawful. Possession is only available via Section 8 using the revised Schedule 2 grounds
- Periodic Assured Tenancy (PAT) required: All new tenancies from 1 May 2026 must be periodic from day one. Fixed-term ASTs are no longer permitted for new assured tenancies
- Awaab's Law in force: Mandatory statutory timeframes for responding to and repairing damp, mould, and HHSRS hazards
- Information Sheet obligation: All landlords with existing tenancies as at 1 May 2026 must serve the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet on every named tenant by 31 May 2026. Penalty: up to £7,000 per tenancy
- Pet request right: Tenants on a PAT have a statutory right to request a pet. Landlords must respond in writing within 42 days; silence is deemed consent
- Section 13 rent increases only: Contractual rent-review clauses in PATs are unenforceable. Rent increases must be served via Form 4A with the correct notice period
- Civil penalties up to £40,000: The RRA 2025 raises the maximum civil penalty for PRS non-compliance to £40,000 per offence
North Northamptonshire Council — licensing and enforcement for Kettering landlords
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has consolidated the private rented sector enforcement functions across Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northamptonshire. Key obligations for Kettering landlords:
- Mandatory HMO licensing: Any property with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households requires a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004 — this applies across the entire North Northamptonshire area including Kettering. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence
- Selective and additional licensing: Check NNC's current website for any selective or additional licensing designations covering your property address. The consolidated authority may introduce licensing schemes with relatively short consultation periods
- Corby and Wellingborough cross-border portfolios: Landlords with portfolios spanning the NNC area deal with a single licensing authority. Ensure each property is checked individually against current designation maps
- EPC compliance: Minimum EPC Band E required for all lettings. Provide the EPC to tenants at the start of the tenancy. Plan capital works ahead of the proposed EPC Band C requirement for new tenancies from 2028
- Article 4 Direction: Check whether your property falls within an Article 4 direction area before creating an HMO. NNC has powers to introduce Article 4 directions across its area
Awaab's Law — Kettering enforcement context
Kettering's housing stock includes Victorian terraces in the town centre and inter-war semi-detached properties across the suburbs. Awaab's Law creates mandatory repair timeframes that Kettering landlords must comply with:
- Acknowledge reports promptly: Acknowledge any tenant report of damp, mould, or an HHSRS hazard in writing
- Investigate within the statutory period: Inspection must take place within the investigation period set by regulation
- Repair within the repair period: Works must be completed within the statutory repair period after investigation
- NNC Environmental Health enforcement: NNC's EHO team has powers to issue Improvement Notices and Civil Penalty Notices for failure to comply with Awaab's Law repair timescales
- Document everything: Maintain a written log of every tenant report, inspection date, findings, works ordered, completion, and contractor details
- Victorian terrace stock: Many Kettering town-centre terraces have solid-wall construction. Assess the most appropriate insulation approach before commissioning works
Section 8 possession in Kettering — 2026 key points
Section 8 possession claims for Kettering properties are typically issued at Northampton County Court. Plan for delays and ensure all pre-action steps are correct:
- Ground 8 (rent arrears): Mandatory ground — at least two months' rent owed at both notice date and hearing date
- Ground 1A (sale): Landlord intends to sell. Four months' notice. Twelve-month moratorium from tenancy start
- Ground 1 (own occupation): Landlord or close family intends to occupy. Four months' notice
- Ground 14 (anti-social behaviour): Discretionary ground; no minimum notice period before court proceedings
- Form 3A: The prescribed Section 8 notice form. Errors invalidate the notice and require re-serving
- Information Sheet pre-condition: For Grounds 1 and 1A, the court will strike out the claim if you cannot show the Information Sheet was served before the Section 8 notice
2026 Kettering landlord compliance checklist
Every item below is a legal obligation — not a recommendation:
- New tenancy agreements: use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement from 1 May 2026 onwards — no fixed-term ASTs
- Information Sheet: serve the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet on all existing tenants by 31 May 2026
- Awaab's Law log: establish a written hazard reporting and repair log
- HMO licensing: mandatory licence required for 5+ occupants/2+ households — check NNC website for additional/selective licensing
- Gas Safety Certificate: annually renewed; copy to tenant before or on day of move-in
- EICR: current (within 5 years); copy to tenant within 28 days of request
- EPC: minimum E rating; valid certificate; copy to tenant at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection: scheme protection and Prescribed Information within 30 days of receipt
- Right to Rent: check all adult occupants' immigration status before tenancy start
- Smoke and CO alarms: smoke detector on every floor; CO alarm in every room with a combustion appliance
Frequently asked questions
Does Kettering have selective licensing for landlords in 2026?+
Check North Northamptonshire Council's current licensing pages for your specific property address. Mandatory HMO licensing applies England-wide for properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households. NNC may operate selective or additional licensing in designated areas — verify before letting.
What happens to my existing AST in Kettering after 1 May 2026?+
Your Assured Shorthold Tenancy converts to a Periodic Assured Tenancy by operation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025. You must serve the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet on every named tenant by 31 May 2026. Section 21 can no longer be used — possession requires a valid Section 8 notice.
North Northamptonshire Council — which areas does it cover for landlord licensing?+
North Northamptonshire Council (established April 2021) covers the former Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, and East Northamptonshire district areas. If you own rental properties in any of these areas, NNC is your single licensing and enforcement authority. Check NNC's current licensing designation map for each property individually.
What is the penalty for failing to serve the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 in Kettering?+
Up to £7,000 per tenancy. Additionally, you cannot serve a valid Section 8 Ground 1 or Ground 1A notice without prior service of the Information Sheet. Courts will strike out possession claims for these grounds where service cannot be evidenced.
Where are Section 8 claims for Kettering properties heard?+
Section 8 possession claims for Kettering and North Northamptonshire properties are typically issued and heard at Northampton County Court. Allow 4–6 months for a contested hearing. Ensure Form 3A is correctly completed and properly served — defective notices cannot be remedied after proceedings are issued.