England · Private rented sector
Landlord templates, Durham.
Tenancy agreements, notices, and compliance documents for Durham landlords. All documents updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025, effective 1 May 2026.
Private rented households
~11,000
Average monthly rent (2-bed)
~£750
University student population
22,000+
Durham rental market, what landlords need to know
Durham city is one of England's most distinctive rental markets, dominated by Durham University students who generate intense demand for private rented accommodation within walking distance of the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre. The university's 22,000+ students compete for a limited housing stock in the peninsula and adjacent areas, producing some of the highest student rents outside London and Oxford. Beyond the student market, Durham's civil service and NHS employment base supports a professional rental market, and the city's designation as a Freeport anchor site (within the Teesside and Darlington Freeport zone) is expected to generate employment growth. Property prices in Durham remain very low compared to the south of England, giving investors access to 7-10% gross yields on student houses of multiple occupation.
Essential documents for Durham landlords
View all →Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement
The new default English tenancy from 1 May 2026. Periodic from day one, with the prescribed written statement of terms built in. Ships with the Form 4A rent-increase notice template and an Information Sheet delivery acknowledgement form so a buying landlord has every Phase-1 compliance document in one pack.
Section 8 Notice Pack (All Grounds)
Every mandatory and discretionary ground on the new 2026 list, pre-labelled with the notice period, arrears threshold, and evidence block.
Landlord Annual Compliance Checklist
Annual walk-through of every compliance touchpoint: gas, electrical, EPC, smoke/CO, Right-to-Rent, deposit, licensing, database registration.
Renters' Rights Act Transition Pack
For landlords who need to migrate existing ASTs onto the new regime. The single most-searched landlord product of 2026.
What changes for Durham landlords on 1 May 2026
- → Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions permanently abolished, use Section 8
- → All new tenancies must use Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreements, no more ASTs
- → Rent increases via Section 13 only, contractual review clauses unenforceable
- → Pet requests must be considered, blanket ‘no pets’ policies are unlawful
- → Private landlord database registration coming, date TBC
Durham landlord FAQs
Is Durham a good student HMO investment in 2026?
Durham is one of the most reliable student HMO markets in England. Durham University consistently attracts a large, affluent student intake who pay above-average rents for well-located housing near the historic city centre. Gross yields of 7-10% are achievable on properly licensed and well-maintained student HMOs. The main risk is Article 4 planning restrictions which limit new HMO conversions in designated areas — existing licensed HMOs retain their use class, but expanding a portfolio through new conversions requires careful planning due diligence.
Does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Durham landlords?
Yes. Durham is in England and all Renters' Rights Act 2025 provisions apply from 1 May 2026: Section 21 abolished, all new lettings on Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreements (including student lets), Section 13 rent increases, Awaab's Law hazard timeframes, and the Information Sheet requirement. Note: the new Ground 4A (student HMO annual cycle possession) is specifically designed to allow student HMO landlords to recover possession at the end of each academic year without needing a fixed-term structure.