England · Private rented sector
Landlord templates, Hertford.
Tenancy agreements, notices, and compliance documents for Hertford landlords. All documents updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025, effective 1 May 2026.
Landlord count (est.)
3,800
Local authority
East Hertfordshire District Council
Distance to London Moorgate
22 miles south (Hertford North rail approx. 45-50 min to Moorgate; Hertford East to Liverpool Street approx. 50-55 min)
Key demand driver
London commuter (Moorgate/Liverpool Street lines); City professionals; Hertfordshire University; NHS (Princess Alexandra Hospital Harlow; Lister Hospital Stevenage); East Herts District Council
Tenancy framework
AST / RRA 2025 periodic tenancy (England)
Hertford rental market, what landlords need to know
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, administered by East Hertfordshire District Council, situated approximately 22 miles north of central London at the confluence of the Rivers Lea, Beane, Mimram, and Rib, in the Hertfordshire countryside. Hertford is one of the oldest towns in England — the historic Hertford Castle (English Heritage; Norman motte with a surviving 15th-century gatehouse on the site of the former royal palace) is a central landmark; the town has significant medieval and Georgian built heritage in the Fore Street, Parliament Square, and Market Place areas. Hertford's position as a London commuter town is well-established: Hertford North station is on the Hertford Loop (Great Northern inner-suburban service from Moorgate and Finsbury Park — operated by Thameslink; journey time to Moorgate approximately 45-50 minutes); Hertford East station is on the Lea Valley line (Greater Anglia service to London Liverpool Street — journey time approximately 50-55 minutes). The A10 dual carriageway connects Hertford south to the M25 junction 25 (approximately 10 miles south) and north to Cambridge (approximately 35 miles north) via Ware and Buntingford. The A414 provides east-west connectivity across Hertfordshire (east to Harlow; west to St Albans via Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield). Key employers accessible from Hertford include: the City of London (financial and professional services — Moorgate and Liverpool Street approximately 45-55 minutes by rail); Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield business parks (approximately 10-15 miles west via A414); Hertford Town Council and East Hertfordshire District Council; NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB (Princess Alexandra Hospital Harlow approximately 12 miles east; Lister Hospital Stevenage approximately 12 miles north-west); Hertfordshire University (de Havilland campus Hatfield approximately 13 miles west; Bayfordbury campus approximately 3 miles south-west of Hertford; Hertford is a key residential base for Hertfordshire University students and staff). Hertford consistently attracts London professional families who want good schools, countryside access, and relatively affordable housing compared to inner London — Hertford's Victorian and Edwardian residential areas (Sele Farm, Bengeo, Hartham) offer larger family properties significantly below equivalent London values. Rental demand is driven by London commuters (Moorgate and Liverpool Street line users), City and Canary Wharf professional workers, Hertfordshire University students and staff, NHS and healthcare workers, and East Hertfordshire district civil servants. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025) applies in England — Section 21 abolition in force 2026; all existing tenancies converted to periodic.
Essential documents for Hertford 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 Hertford 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
Hertford landlord FAQs
Does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 apply to landlords in Hertford?
Yes. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025) applies throughout England, including Hertford. Section 21 notices cannot be served on new tenancies from the commencement date; existing ASTs will be converted to periodic tenancies on the transition date. Landlords in Hertford must use the new ground-based possession regime under Schedule 1 RRA 2025. The Private Rented Sector Landlord Portal will require registration when it opens (expected 2026).
Is selective licensing in force for landlords in Hertford?
No. East Hertfordshire District Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme for the private rented sector in Hertford. Mandatory HMO licensing (Housing Act 2004) applies to all HMOs with 5 or more persons from 2 or more households across England — apply to East Hertfordshire District Council for an HMO licence in Hertford. Landlords should check the council website for any changes to licensing schemes.