Worthing sits within the district of Worthing, with Worthing Borough Council the responsible housing authority. The town's private rented sector has grown substantially over the past decade, driven by relative affordability compared with Brighton — now just 15 minutes by fast train — and a thriving local economy. Converted properties (Victorian houses subdivided into flats) are common in the town centre and near the seafront, creating specific HMO licensing and safety certificate obligations.
From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolishes Section 21 no-fault eviction, mandates Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreements for all new lettings in England, and brings Awaab's Law mould and damp timeframes into force. Worthing landlords must understand these changes alongside Worthing Borough Council's HMO licensing regime and the West Sussex enforcement environment.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 — England-wide obligations from 1 May 2026
All Worthing 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 and void. All possession must use Section 8 and one of the Schedule 2 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 available for new private residential lets in England
- Awaab's Law in force: Mandatory statutory timeframes for acknowledging, investigating, and repairing damp, mould, and HHSRS hazards — important for Worthing's converted Victorian properties which can suffer from interstitial condensation and penetrating damp from coastal weather
- Information Sheet obligation: Every landlord with an existing tenancy on 1 May 2026 was required to deliver the official RRA 2025 Information Sheet to every named tenant by 31 May 2026. Penalty: up to £7,000 per tenancy. Serve immediately if not yet done
- Pet request right: Tenants on PATs have the right to request a pet. Landlords must respond in writing within 42 days or consent is deemed given
- Civil penalties up to £40,000: The RRA 2025 increases maximum civil penalties 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 in new agreements are unenforceable
Worthing Borough Council HMO licensing
Worthing Borough Council administers HMO licensing for the borough. Landlords of multi-occupancy properties must hold a valid licence before letting.
- Mandatory HMO licensing: All properties in Worthing occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households require a mandatory HMO licence under the Housing Act 2004. This applies borough-wide
- Converted houses — Section 257 HMOs: Worthing has many Victorian and Edwardian properties converted into self-contained flats. Where the conversion does not meet Building Regulations standard, the building may be a Section 257 HMO. Landlords of converted flats should check whether Section 257 HMO licensing or fire safety obligations apply to their building
- Additional HMO licensing: Worthing Borough Council's position on additional licensing for smaller HMOs (3–4 occupants) should be confirmed directly with the housing team
- Selective licensing: Worthing Borough Council's current selective licensing position should be confirmed before letting — the council can create new selective licensing designations at any time
- Licence conditions: HMO licence conditions specify minimum room sizes (6.51 m² for a single adult, 10.22 m² for two adults), fire detection grade and type, emergency lighting, and maximum occupancy
- No-licence criminal offence: Operating an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence and disqualifies landlords from using Ground 8 rent arrears possession. Rent Repayment Orders of up to 12 months' rent can be awarded to tenants of unlicensed HMOs
Awaab's Law — Worthing coastal context
Worthing's coastal location creates specific damp and mould risk factors for private landlords. Salt air, coastal weather, and older building stock combine to increase the likelihood of damp-related HHSRS hazards. Awaab's Law creates strict statutory obligations for every landlord regardless of the property type or cause of damp.
- Acknowledge every report in writing: All damp, mould, or HHSRS hazard reports must be acknowledged in writing. Verbal acknowledgments do not satisfy the statutory obligation
- Investigate within 14 days: Attend and inspect the property, identify the root cause (condensation, penetrating damp through coastal weather, rising damp, or structural defect), and document findings in writing
- Repair within the statutory repair period: The repair must address the underlying cause. Surface mould treatments without addressing root cause do not comply with Awaab's Law
- Emergency hazards — 24 hours: Blocked drains, burst pipes, or immediately dangerous heating failures must be addressed within 24 hours
- Coastal weather and penetrating damp: Driving rain and salt air from the English Channel accelerate deterioration of pointing, render, and window seals in Worthing's older properties. Regular external maintenance is essential to prevent Awaab's Law-triggering damp ingress
- Document everything: Maintain full records of all damp/mould reports, inspection visits, repair instructions, contractor invoices, and completion dates
Energy Performance and MEES obligations
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) require all privately rented properties in England to hold an EPC rating of at least Band E before a new tenancy is granted. Government policy targets Band C by 2030. Worthing's mix of converted properties and older stock presents specific upgrade considerations.
- Current standard — EPC Band E: All Worthing PRS properties must hold a valid EPC with a minimum Band E rating before a new tenancy is granted. Letting below Band E without a registered exemption is a civil penalty offence
- 2030 target — EPC Band C: Government policy (not yet law) targets Band C for all PRS properties by 2030 for new tenancies. Converted Victorian flats and older terrace properties in Worthing commonly rate D or E and may require wall insulation, modern heating, and upgraded glazing to reach Band C
- Section 257 HMO buildings — shared responsibilities: Where a building is a Section 257 HMO, the freeholder/building owner (often the same person as the landlord) bears responsibility for common parts and the external envelope, including insulation and heating upgrades. EPC improvements may require landlord-to-freeholder coordination
- ECO4 and GBIS funding: Landlords whose tenants receive qualifying benefits may access ECO4 grants for insulation and heating upgrades
- Warm Homes Plan: Government loan guarantees for private landlords funding energy efficiency improvements are available through approved lenders
Section 8 possession for Worthing landlords
With Section 21 abolished, all Worthing possession claims must use Section 8. The key grounds for landlords in 2026:
- Ground 8 — mandatory rent arrears: At least 2 months' rent owed both at the notice date and the court hearing. The court must grant possession if the ground is proved
- Ground 8A — persistent arrears (new RRA 2025): Tenant has been in arrears of at least 3 months' rent on 3 separate occasions in a 3-year period — a new mandatory ground under the RRA 2025
- Ground 1A — landlord intends to sell: Requires 4 months' notice; 6-month moratorium from tenancy start; a 12-month re-let ban applies after using this ground
- Ground 14 — anti-social behaviour: Discretionary ground requiring documented evidence of incidents with dates, times, and witness evidence
- Form 3A: All Section 8 notices must use the current RRA 2025 Form 3A — updated for all grounds including the new RRA 2025 grounds
Worthing PRS — specific considerations
Worthing's private rented sector has characteristics shaped by its coastal location, demographics, and proximity to Brighton that landlords should consider in 2026.
- Brighton commuter market: Worthing's fast rail connection to Brighton (15 minutes) and London Victoria (around 90 minutes) creates demand from commuters seeking lower rents than Brighton or Hove. Compliance expectations and rental values reflect this proximity to a high-regulation market
- Retirement and older tenant demographics: Worthing has a higher proportion of older residents than average. Landlords should consider accessibility obligations and be particularly attentive to heating and damp obligations for older tenants who may be more vulnerable to cold and damp-related health impacts
- West Sussex County Council strategic housing: Worthing Borough Council coordinates with West Sussex County Council on housing enforcement and strategic priorities. The enforcement environment in West Sussex reflects the council's active approach to improving PRS standards
- Property Portal registration: The national PRS Property Portal (mandatory under the RRA 2025) requires all England landlords to register their properties. Worthing landlords should complete registration to comply and to support Section 8 possession claims
Key documents Worthing landlords need
LetSafe UK provides all compliance documents for England landlords — each drafted to current RRA 2025 requirements:
- Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (England): PAT-compliant tenancy agreement for all new Worthing lettings from 1 May 2026
- Section 8 Notice (Form 3A): RRA 2025 compliant Form 3A — updated for all grounds including new Ground 8A and Ground 1A
- Section 13 Rent Increase Notice (Form 4A): The only lawful method of raising rent on a PAT — 2-month advance notice required
- RRA 2025 Information Sheet: Required for all existing tenants — serve immediately if not yet done to limit penalty exposure
Frequently asked questions
Do Worthing landlords need an HMO licence for a converted flat?+
It depends on the conversion. Where a property is occupied by 5 or more people in 2 or more households, mandatory HMO licensing applies. Worthing also has many Victorian and Edwardian properties converted into flats — where the conversion does not meet Building Regulations standard, the building may be a Section 257 HMO with associated fire safety obligations. Confirm your specific situation with Worthing Borough Council's housing team.
Does coastal weather affect compliance obligations for Worthing landlords?+
Yes. Driving rain, salt air, and coastal humidity accelerate deterioration of pointing, render, and window seals in older properties. Under Awaab's Law, landlords must investigate and repair damp and mould within statutory timeframes regardless of the cause. Regular external maintenance is essential for Worthing landlords to prevent Awaab's Law-triggering damp ingress.
What is the 31 May 2026 Information Sheet deadline?+
Every Worthing landlord with an existing tenancy on 1 May 2026 was required to serve the official RRA 2025 Information Sheet on every named tenant by 31 May 2026. That deadline has now passed. If you have not served it, serve immediately — each day of non-compliance carries penalties of up to £7,000 per tenancy.
Can Worthing landlords still issue fixed-term tenancy agreements in 2026?+
No. From 1 May 2026, all new private residential tenancies in England must be Periodic Assured Tenancies. Fixed-term ASTs are abolished for new lettings. All new Worthing lettings must use a PAT-compliant tenancy agreement.