Salisbury is a cathedral city in south Wiltshire with a significant military and public sector presence. The Garrison at Salisbury Plain — including Bulford, Tidworth, and Larkhill — drives sustained demand for private rental accommodation from military families and service personnel. NHS Salisbury District Hospital (one of the region's major acute trusts) and Wiltshire Council itself are also major employers. Entry prices for buy-to-let typically range from £180,000–£320,000 for two and three-bedroom properties, 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 Salisbury. It abolishes Section 21 no-fault evictions, converts all tenancies to periodic, 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 Salisbury landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Salisbury operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 framework. Key changes for Salisbury landlords:
- 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 new tenancies are periodic from day one
- Tenants can end any tenancy with two months' written notice
- Property Portal registration is mandatory before any property can be let — the Portal opened 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 — once per 12 months maximum; tenant can refer to the First-tier Tribunal
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for Salisbury 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
- Salisbury's housing stock includes many Victorian and Edwardian terraces, Georgian townhouses and post-war semis — EPC improvement works may need planning consent for listed or conservation area properties
- The cathedral city conservation areas in Salisbury city centre are extensive — check with Wiltshire Council before commissioning insulation works that alter external appearance
- The £15,000 proposed cost cap applies per property — register a cost cap exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register if Band C cannot be achieved within this budget
- Commission a fresh RdSAP 10 EPC assessment if your certificate is over 5 years old
Gas safety obligations
Gas safety requirements for all Salisbury 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
Electrical safety obligations
Electrical safety requirements for Salisbury 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
- Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the property under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Salisbury 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 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
Wiltshire Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Salisbury administered by Wiltshire Council:
- Wiltshire Council does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing or additional HMO licensing scheme in Salisbury
- Mandatory HMO licensing under the Housing Act 2004 applies to all properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households in England — apply to Wiltshire Council Housing Standards team
- HMO licence conditions include minimum sleeping room sizes (6.51 m² per person), fire detection (Grade D LD2), annual gas safety certificate and 5-yearly EICR
- Wiltshire Council has powers under the Housing Act 2004 to issue Improvement Notices and Emergency Prohibition Orders for seriously substandard properties
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal and PRS Ombudsman requirements are mandatory from 1 May 2026 and are separate from Wiltshire Council licensing
- Always verify current licensing requirements with Wiltshire Council as schemes can be introduced at any time
Military tenants and MOD lettings
Salisbury's proximity to Salisbury Plain Military Area — including Bulford, Tidworth, Warminster and Larkhill garrisons — means many Salisbury landlords rent to service personnel. Key considerations:
- Service personnel on temporary postings may need short tenancies — from 1 May 2026, all tenancies are periodic but a tenant can give 2 months' notice to quit, making this suitable for military tenants
- MOD personnel on posting orders may qualify for early termination under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 military ground (Ground 1 — Owner-Occupier, adapted for returners from overseas posting)
- Families of service personnel with school-age children are protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 — no-families policies are unlawful
- MOD's private rental support scheme (LSAP — Long Service Advance of Pay) assists service personnel with deposits — landlords should be familiar with this scheme
- Right-to-Rent checks still apply to all adult occupiers regardless of military status — verify the right to rent before occupation
Frequently asked questions
Does Wiltshire Council operate a selective licensing scheme in Salisbury?+
As of 2026, Wiltshire Council does not operate a selective licensing scheme covering Salisbury. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always check with Wiltshire Council Housing Standards team for any new schemes, as designations can be introduced at any time.
Are there extra EPC restrictions for conservation area properties in Salisbury?+
Properties in Salisbury's cathedral city conservation areas may face limitations on external insulation works that alter the appearance of a building. Wiltshire Council planning consent may be required before carrying out some energy improvement measures. If consent is refused, a third-party consent exemption can be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register.
How does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 affect military tenant lets in Salisbury?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 converted all tenancies to periodic from 1 May 2026, which suits short-term military postings as tenants can give 2 months' notice. Ground 1 (owner-occupation) under the new possession grounds also applies to landlords who need their property back after an overseas posting. Renters' Rights Act protections apply equally to service personnel — no-DSS policies and fixed-term terms cannot exclude military families.