The private rental market in Westbury has shifted significantly over the past twelve months. Whether you let a terraced house near the station corridor, a family home in Leigh Park, or a flat in Eden Vale, the regulatory landscape looks very different in August 2026 than it did even a year ago.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has now come into full effect, bringing the most substantial changes to tenancy law in a generation. Add to that tightening EPC standards on the horizon, ongoing safety certificate obligations, and deposit protection rules — and landlords across BA13 have a great deal to stay on top of.
At Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge, we work with landlords every day to ensure their properties remain fully compliant and their investments protected. This checklist is designed to give you a clear, practical overview of exactly where you stand in August 2026.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025: what has changed for Westbury landlords
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) in England. All tenancies, including those already in place, have now converted to periodic tenancies by default.
This is one of the most significant changes to affect landlords letting property across Westbury and the wider BA13 area. Here is what you need to understand.
Periodic tenancies are now the standard
There are no more six-month or twelve-month fixed-term agreements. Every tenancy in England now runs on a rolling periodic basis from the outset, giving tenants greater security of tenure.
For landlords in Westbury Leigh, Eden Vale, and surrounding streets, this means the relationship with your tenant is now ongoing until either party serves the correct notice. Tenancy agreements must reflect this new structure — if yours do not, they need updating immediately.
Correct notice requirements
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, tenants can give two months’ notice to leave at any time. As a landlord, your ability to regain possession has changed considerably.
Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions have been abolished entirely. You may only seek possession using the updated Section 8 grounds, which have been revised and expanded under the new legislation. These include mandatory grounds such as selling the property, moving in a family member, or serious rent arrears — but each ground carries specific notice periods and evidential requirements.
Getting notice wrong can invalidate the process entirely and result in significant delays. This is an area where professional lettings management genuinely pays for itself.
Lawful rent increases and the First-tier Tribunal
Landlords can no longer increase rent through a clause in the tenancy agreement. The only lawful route to a rent increase is via a Section 13 notice, which must be served correctly and give the tenant a minimum of two months’ written notice.
Tenants have the right to challenge any proposed increase by referring it to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The Tribunal will assess whether the proposed rent is in line with the open market rate for the area — so any increase you propose should be justifiable against comparable properties in BA13.
Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge, can advise on appropriate rental levels and handle the Section 13 process on your behalf as part of our managed service.
Deposit protection: your obligations in 2026
Tenancy deposit protection remains a legal requirement and one of the most commonly mishandled areas of landlord compliance.
Any deposit you take must be protected in a government-approved scheme — the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) — within 30 days of receipt. You must also provide your tenant with the prescribed information about the scheme used.
Failure to protect a deposit correctly can result in a court ordering you to pay the tenant between one and three times the deposit amount in compensation, and it can also prevent you from serving a valid Section 8 notice.
At Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge, all deposits taken through our managed service are protected within government-approved schemes as standard, with full documentation issued to tenants at the point of move-in.
EPC requirements: where Westbury landlords stand right now
The current minimum standard
As of August 2026, all privately rented properties in England must hold a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated E or above. A property cannot lawfully be let with an F or G rating unless a valid exemption has been registered on the national PRS Exemptions Register.
The proposed move to EPC C
The government has confirmed its intention to raise the minimum EPC standard for new tenancies to a C rating, with existing tenancies to follow. While the exact implementation date for existing tenancies remains subject to final confirmation, the direction of travel is clear.
For landlords with older properties in areas such as Westbury Leigh or the terraced streets near Westbury railway station — where Victorian and Edwardian stock is common — now is the time to commission an updated EPC assessment and plan any necessary improvements.
Common upgrades that improve EPC ratings include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, upgrading to a modern boiler, and fitting double glazing. Many improvements attract government-backed funding, and Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge can point you in the right direction.
Gas and electrical safety: non-negotiable obligations
Gas safety certificate
Every rental property with a gas supply must have a valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This must be renewed annually, and a copy must be provided to your tenant before they move in and within 28 days of each subsequent renewal.
Electrical installation condition report
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is required for all privately rented properties in England. The report must be carried out by a qualified electrician and renewed at least every five years — or sooner if the report specifies. A copy must be given to your tenant and to the local authority if requested.
Both certificates must be in place before a tenancy begins. Letting a property without them is a criminal offence and can result in substantial fines.
Tenant referencing: protecting your investment from the outset
Thorough tenant referencing is not just good practice — it is your first line of defence as a landlord. A robust referencing process should include credit checks, employment and income verification, previous landlord references, and Right to Rent checks (a legal requirement under the Immigration Act 2014).
Right to Rent checks must be completed before the tenancy starts and must be conducted in the correct manner — failure to do so can result in a civil penalty of up to £20,000 per tenant.
Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge uses state-of-the-art tenant background checks as standard, helping landlords across the BA13 area secure reliable tenants and minimise the risk of arrears or disputes from day one.
How Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge removes the compliance burden
Managing a rental property in Westbury in 2026 means staying across a growing body of legislation, and the consequences of getting it wrong are more serious than ever. Whether you own a single buy-to-let near Eden Vale or a portfolio of properties across BA13, the compliance obligations are the same.
Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge‘s fully managed service is built around taking that burden off your shoulders entirely. With over 30 years of lettings expertise behind us and more than 41,000 properties managed across the Martin & Co network, we have the experience and the systems to keep your property compliant, your tenants satisfied, and your investment performing.
Our managed service includes:
• Full compliance management across all current and incoming legislation • Government-approved deposit protection as standard • Annual gas safety and EICR renewal coordination • Lawful rent review and Section 13 notice management • State-of-the-art tenant referencing and Right to Rent checks • 24/7 repairs and maintenance support • Client money protection insurance for complete peace of mind • A dedicated local team who know the Westbury rental market inside out
We let 370 new properties every week across the network and move more than 20,000 households forward each year. That depth of experience means we understand what landlords need, and we are here to deliver it, without any fuss.
Take the next step with confidence
Whether you are a first-time landlord letting your home in Leigh Park for the first time, or an experienced investor managing multiple properties across the BA13 postcode, staying compliant in August 2026 is not optional — it is essential.
If you are unsure whether your rental property meets the current requirements, or if you simply want the reassurance of knowing everything is being handled correctly, we are here to help.
Book a free, no-obligation rental valuation with Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge today and find out exactly what your property could achieve in the current market — with full compliance built in from the start.
Get in touch with the Martin & Co Westbury, Warminster and Trowbridge team directly to discuss your lettings requirements, ask about our fully managed service, or arrange a free in-person market appraisal. We are ready to work with you every step of the way.
Westbury: 01373 866686 | Warminster: 01985 800200 | Trowbridge: 01225 263345
