Shirebrook is a former colliery town in the Bolsover district of Derbyshire, located at the tri-county boundary of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Nottinghamshire, approximately 4 miles from Mansfield and 18 miles north of Nottingham. Since the closure of Shirebrook Colliery, the town's economy has been transformed by logistics employment — most notably the Sports Direct/Frasers Group campus (one of the largest distribution operations in the UK, employing thousands of workers) and numerous other logistics and light industrial employers along the A60/B6407 corridor. Entry prices for terraced houses range from £70,000–£110,000 with gross yields of 10–13% — among the highest in Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands. Bolsover District Council administers planning and licensing for the area.
Bolsover District Council does not currently operate a district-wide selective licensing scheme. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (in force 1 May 2026) applies to all private rented properties in England including Shirebrook, abolishing Section 21, converting all new lets to periodic tenancies, and requiring Property Portal registration and PRS Ombudsman membership.
Bolsover District Council licensing
Licensing requirements for Shirebrook landlords:
- Bolsover District Council does not currently operate a district-wide 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 Bolsover 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 (mandatory from 1 May 2026) are additional to any local licensing
- Selective licensing can be introduced by any council with 10 weeks' consultation notice — check the council website before letting
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Shirebrook landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Shirebrook operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions must use 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 at any time
- 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 use the statutory Section 13 notice — contractual rent review clauses have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC compliance for Shirebrook 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
- Shirebrook's inter-war and post-war terraced and semi-detached housing stock is generally more responsive to energy improvement than older stone properties — cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and boiler replacement can often achieve Band C
- Some older brick terraces may have solid walls requiring more expensive insulation works — commission a fresh RdSAP 10 assessment before planning improvement works
- If total improvement costs exceed the proposed £15,000 cost cap without reaching Band C, register a cost cap exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register
Gas and electrical safety
Safety certificate requirements for Shirebrook 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 gas appliance
- Shirebrook's older housing stock may have dated wiring — commission an EICR if you have not done so in the past 5 years
Deposit protection
Tenancy deposit obligations for Shirebrook 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
- Shirebrook's low rent levels mean the 5 weeks cap is very unlikely to be a practical constraint, but always calculate the exact weekly equivalent
- Failure to protect on time prevents valid Section 8 service and exposes the landlord to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit
Shirebrook buy-to-let investment case
Why investors choose Shirebrook for high-yield buy-to-let:
- Gross yields of 10–13% on entry prices of £70,000–£110,000 — among the highest in Derbyshire and the East Midlands
- Frasers Group/Sports Direct Shirebrook campus employs thousands of logistics and warehouse workers, creating a large and stable rental demand base
- A60/A617 road access connects Shirebrook to Mansfield (4 miles), Chesterfield (10 miles), and the M1 at Junction 29 (8 miles)
- Shirebrook rail station provides East Midlands Railway services to Nottingham, Mansfield, and Worksop
- Bolsover District's regeneration investment and the ongoing logistics sector growth in the M1 corridor support improving area perception for compliant landlords
Frequently asked questions
Does Shirebrook have selective licensing?+
No. Bolsover District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always verify with Bolsover District Council before letting.
When does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Shirebrook landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Shirebrook. Section 21 is abolished, all new lets are periodic, and landlords must register on the Property Portal and join the PRS Ombudsman before letting any property.
What EPC band does my Shirebrook rental property need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target by 2030. Shirebrook's inter-war and post-war housing is generally more responsive to energy improvement than older terraces — cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and boiler upgrades can often achieve Band C at moderate cost.
Is Shirebrook a good buy-to-let location?+
Shirebrook offers 10–13% gross yields on entry prices of £70,000–£110,000. The Frasers Group/Sports Direct distribution campus provides a large, stable logistics workforce tenant pool. Compliant properties with current safety certificates can achieve strong yields and low void rates.