Warwick is a prosperous market town within the Warwick District Council area, situated adjacent to Royal Leamington Spa and within easy reach of Coventry and Birmingham via the M40. The rental market is driven by University of Warwick staff, Jaguar Land Rover and automotive supply chain workers, and Coventry and Birmingham commuters. Entry prices of £180,000–£260,000 for terraced houses typically generate gross yields of 5–7%.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025, which comes fully into force on 1 May 2026, applies to all private rented properties in England including Warwick. It abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, moves all tenancies onto a single periodic tenancy basis, introduces mandatory possession grounds, and creates a new Property Portal requiring landlord registration before any property can be let.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — key obligations for Warwick landlords
From 1 May 2026, all residential tenancies in England including Warwick operate under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 regime. The main changes are:
- Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished — all possessions must use a statutory ground from the new Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988
- All tenancies become periodic from day one — fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted for new lets from 1 May 2026
- Tenants can end any tenancy with two months' written notice
- Landlords must register on the new Property Portal before letting any property — the Portal goes live 1 May 2026
- PRS Ombudsman membership is mandatory from 1 May 2026 for all private landlords in England
- Rent increase notices must use the statutory Section 13 form — rent increase clauses in tenancy agreements have no effect
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) requirements
EPC obligations for Warwick landlords in 2026:
- Current minimum: EPC Band E — landlords cannot let a property below Band E without a valid exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register
- Proposed EPC Band C minimum: confirmed government policy for 2030 (proposed for new lets from 2028, all lets by 2030)
- Properties that currently achieve Band D or E should begin planning energy efficiency improvements — loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacement and solar PV are the most cost-effective routes to Band C in Warwickshire's housing stock
- The £15,000 proposed cost cap applies per property — if £15,000 is spent and Band C is not achievable, an exemption can be registered
- EPC certificates are valid for 10 years — if your certificate is over 5 years old, commission a reassessment under RdSAP 10 methodology
Gas safety obligations
Gas safety is a criminal obligation for all landlords with gas appliances:
- Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer — mandatory for every property with gas appliances
- 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 under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
- Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms must be installed in every room with a gas appliance — mandatory under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Landlords should retain gas safety records for at least two years
Electrical safety obligations
Electrical installation safety in Warwick rental properties:
- Five-yearly EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) by a qualified electrician — mandatory for all private rented properties in England
- The EICR must be provided to new tenants before occupation and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Any code C1 (immediate danger) or C2 (potentially dangerous) remedial items must be rectified within 28 days of the EICR
- A copy of the completed remedial work must be provided to the tenant and the local authority on request
- Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the property and CO alarms in every room with a solid fuel or gas appliance
Deposit protection
Deposit protection obligations for Warwick landlords:
- All tenancy deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt: DPS, myDeposits, or TDS
- The Prescribed Information (PI) must be served on the tenant within 30 days of receiving the deposit
- Maximum deposit: 5 weeks' rent (properties where annual rent is under £50,000) or 6 weeks' rent (over £50,000 annual rent)
- Failure to protect a deposit or serve Prescribed Information prevents the landlord from serving a valid Section 8 notice and exposes them to a penalty of 1–3 times the deposit amount
- Holding deposits: maximum 1 week's rent; must be returned within 15 days or credited against the tenancy deposit if the tenancy proceeds
Warwick District Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Warwick:
- Warwick District Council does not currently operate a borough-wide selective licensing or additional HMO licensing scheme
- Mandatory HMO licensing under the Housing Act 2004 applies for properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households — apply to Warwick District Council
- HMO licence conditions include minimum room sizes (6.51 m² per person), Grade D LD2 fire detection, annual gas safety certificate and 5-yearly EICR
- Always verify current licensing requirements with Warwick District Council as schemes can be introduced or varied without national notice
- The new Renters' Rights Act 2025 Property Portal (from 1 May 2026) is separate from local licensing and is mandatory regardless of whether a local scheme exists
How to Rent guide obligation
The How to Rent guide is a mandatory document for all assured tenancies in England:
- Must be provided at the start of every new tenancy and on each renewal if the guide has been updated since the last version was provided
- The current version is available at gov.uk — always download the current version rather than reprinting an older copy
- Failure to provide the How to Rent guide prevents the landlord from serving a valid Section 21 notice — under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the requirement remains in effect as a tenancy precondition
- The guide can be emailed to the tenant (with their agreement) and the email should be retained as evidence of service
Frequently asked questions
Does Warwick have selective licensing?+
No. Warwick District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme for private rented properties. Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households. Always check with Warwick District Council directly for any new schemes introduced after the date of this guide.
When does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 apply to Warwick landlords?+
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 and applies to all private rented properties in England, including Warwick. From that date, all new lets must be on a periodic tenancy basis, Section 21 is abolished, and landlords must be registered on the Property Portal and a member of the PRS Ombudsman scheme.
What EPC band does my Warwick rental need?+
Currently Band E is the minimum requirement. The Government has confirmed Band C as the target for all rented properties by 2030, with new lets from 2028 likely to require Band C under the proposed amended MEES regulations. Properties with solid walls or older heating systems should plan for improvement works ahead of the 2028/2030 deadlines.
How do I protect a deposit for a Warwick rental?+
Protect the deposit in one of the three government-approved schemes — DPS, myDeposits or TDS — within 30 days of receipt. Serve the Prescribed Information on the tenant within 30 days. The maximum deposit is 5 weeks' rent for most tenancies. Failure to protect on time prevents you from serving a valid Section 8 possession notice.