St Helens is a Merseyside borough with a substantial private rented sector, driven by a mix of working families, benefit-claimant tenants, and industrial-area worker housing. The borough's older terrace stock — much of it inter-war and post-war — has relatively high rates of damp, poor thermal performance, and ageing electrical and gas installations, making housing standards enforcement by St Helens Borough Council a significant compliance risk for landlords who do not maintain their properties proactively.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 overlays national compliance obligations on top of St Helens' existing local licensing and enforcement framework. Private landlords in St Helens must navigate both the national RRA 2025 requirements and any current selective or HMO licensing requirements.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
All St Helens 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 be pursued via Section 8 using 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 a lawful form 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 — now extended to the private rented sector
- 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 and may only refuse on reasonable grounds
- Civil penalties up to £40,000: The RRA 2025 increases the maximum civil penalty for PRS non-compliance 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 no longer operate on PATs
St Helens selective licensing — designated areas
St Helens Borough Council operates selective licensing in designated areas of the borough. Landlords must hold a valid licence for every property in a designated area or face criminal prosecution.
- Scheme coverage: St Helens selective licensing designations cover areas of the borough with elevated deprivation, high PRS concentration, or above-average housing management concerns. Check the current designation with your property's postcode using the St Helens Borough Council housing licensing portal
- Licence conditions: Licence holders must maintain the property to prescribed standards, carry out all mandatory safety inspections, provide copies of certificates to the council and tenants on request, respond to tenant complaints within specified timescales, and demonstrate competent property management
- Mandatory HMO licensing: All HMOs with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households require a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004, regardless of selective licensing
- Additional HMO licensing: Confirm with St Helens Borough Council whether an additional HMO licensing scheme currently operates for smaller HMOs in your area
- Penalties: Operating without a required selective licence is a criminal offence with an unlimited fine on conviction. Civil penalties under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 may reach £30,000. Tenants can apply for Rent Repayment Orders covering up to 12 months' rent
- Licence fee: Check the current fee schedule on the St Helens Borough Council website. Multi-property or landlord accreditation discounts may apply
Awaab's Law — St Helens context
St Helens has a high proportion of pre-1940s solid-wall terraced properties with limited insulation, ageing roof coverings, and intermittent damp problems. Awaab's Law obligations are particularly material for St Helens landlords given this housing stock profile.
- Written acknowledgment required: Respond to every damp, mould, or HHSRS hazard report in writing. Oral responses do not satisfy the statutory obligation
- Investigation within prescribed period: Inspect the property within the statutory investigation period — typically 14 days for a non-emergency HHSRS hazard
- Repair within repair period: Remediate the hazard within the statutory repair window. Painting over mould without addressing moisture ingress does not discharge the obligation
- Emergency hazards: Hazards presenting an immediate risk to life (severe water ingress, dangerous structural condition, carbon monoxide risk) must be made safe within 24 hours
- St Helens Borough Council enforcement: St Helens' housing enforcement team can issue improvement notices, civil penalties, and prohibition orders for HHSRS non-compliance
- Maintain a written repair log: Keep a contemporaneous log of every hazard report received, every inspection conducted, every remedial action taken, and the date of completion. This is your primary compliance evidence in any enforcement action
Section 8 possession in St Helens
With Section 21 abolished, St Helens landlords must use Section 8 for all possession claims. Possession proceedings for St Helens properties are processed through the Northwest England county court system — plan for hearing delays.
- Ground 1A (landlord intends to sell): 4 months' notice; 12-month tenancy minimum; Information Sheet must have been served
- Ground 8 (mandatory rent arrears): At least 3 months' arrears at both notice date and hearing date; 4 weeks' notice. Cannot be used if the property requires but lacks a selective or HMO licence
- Ground 8A (persistent arrears): At least 3 months' arrears on 3 separate occasions in 3 years; 4 weeks' notice. New mandatory ground under RRA 2025
- Ground 14 (nuisance/ASB): Immediate notice; discretionary. Police log references, St Helens Council ASB team records, and neighbour statements are essential evidence
- Ground 10 and 11 (other arrears): Discretionary grounds for lower arrears levels — the court can refuse possession even if the ground is proved
- Form 3A compliance: All Section 8 notices must use the current Form 3A and fully particularise all grounds relied upon. Defective notices are struck out at the first hearing
2026 St Helens landlord compliance checklist
Use this checklist as a minimum compliance reference — each item is a legal obligation:
- Selective licensing: confirm whether your property falls within a St Helens Borough Council designation; hold a valid licence if required
- HMO licensing: obtain mandatory HMO licence for all HMOs with 5+ occupants and 2+ households; check for additional HMO licensing scheme coverage
- New tenancy agreements: use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement for all new lets from 1 May 2026
- Information Sheet: serve the RRA 2025 Information Sheet on all existing tenants by 31 May 2026
- Awaab's Law log: implement a written hazard reporting, inspection, and repair log from day one
- Gas Safety Certificate: renew annually; provide to tenant before occupancy and within 28 days of each check
- EICR: valid within 5 years; provide to tenant within 28 days of request
- EPC: minimum E rating; valid certificate (10 years maximum)
- Deposit protection: protect and serve 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 storey; CO alarm in every room with a combustion appliance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a selective licence to let a property in St Helens in 2026?+
It depends on whether your property falls within a St Helens Borough Council selective licensing designation. Check the council's housing licensing portal with your property's full postcode. Operating without a required licence is a criminal offence and exposes you to civil penalties and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 12 months' rent.
Can I still use Section 21 to evict a tenant in St Helens in 2026?+
No. Section 21 no-fault eviction notices are unlawful for all private tenancies in England from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. All possession must be via Section 8 citing one or more revised Schedule 2 grounds. Section 21 notices served before 1 May 2026 may retain limited transitional validity — seek specialist advice.
What does Awaab's Law mean for my St Helens rental property?+
From 1 May 2026, Awaab's Law applies to the private rented sector. If a tenant reports damp, mould, or another HHSRS hazard, you must acknowledge in writing, investigate within the prescribed period (typically 14 days), and remedy within the statutory repair window. St Helens Borough Council can enforce with civil penalties up to £40,000 and improvement notices. Maintain a dated written repair log as your primary compliance evidence.
Do I need a mandatory HMO licence for my St Helens property?+
Yes, if your property is occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more separate households. Mandatory HMO licensing under the Housing Act 2004 applies nationally including in St Helens. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence. An unlicensed mandatory HMO also bars you from serving Ground 8 (serious rent arrears) in possession proceedings. Check whether St Helens Borough Council also operates an additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs.