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Tag: Legislation

Landlords back minimum housing standards

by Sorcha DugmorePosted on

Landlords across the UK are showing their support for policies ensuring minimum housing standards, according to a new survey conducted by the Paragon Banking Group. The results of the survey show that the majority of Landlords believe that all rental properties should meet a set of minimum standards to ensure safe and comfortable living conditions for tenants.

The standard would include requirements for heating, insulation, and ventilation, as well as basic amenities such as running water and working appliances.

This marks a significant shift in attitude among Landlords, who have previously been resistant to government regulations and requirements for rental properties. Showing that they clearly recognise the importance of providing safe and comfortable homes for tenants.

Commenting on the survey results, John Heron, managing director of mortgages at Paragon, said: “It’s clear from our research that the majority of landlords are supportive of minimum standards for rental properties, and this is a positive step for the sector as a whole.”

Heron added that the survey results reflect a growing recognition among Landlords that good quality housing is essential for the success of the private rented sector. He also noted that many Landlords are already investing in their properties to meet or exceed minimum standards.

The findings of the survey have been welcomed by housing campaigners, who have long called for greater regulation of the private rented sector. The government is currently considering proposals for a new minimum standard for rental properties, and the survey results may provide additional support for these efforts.

Overall, the survey suggests that Landlords are increasingly recognising their responsibility to provide safe and comfortable homes for tenants. By supporting minimum housing standards, Landlords can help to improve the reputation of the private rented sector and ensure that tenants have access to high-quality rental properties.

Letting agents help to navigate red tape

by Sorcha DugmorePosted on

Landlords have been advised by a PropTech engineer to seek guidance from letting agents to navigate red tape.

The rental market has undergone many changes in recent years, causing some lack of clarity amongst Landlords. With so much to keep track of, it can be challenging to stay up-to-date with the latest changes alone, that’s why letting agents are a valuable resource for Landlords who want to protect their properties and avoid penalties.

Neil Cobbald, Managing Director of PayProp UK, stated “No matter which party wins the next election, reforming the private rental sector will be high on their agenda. Proposals to reform the PRS and introduce new rules and regulations cover everything from energy efficiency to tax returns to anti-money laundering measures”.

The long-awaited renters reform bill proposes the removal of section 21 evictions. If the ban is implemented, Landlords will need to have a valid reason for evicting tenants, such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour. Additionally, the renters reform bill suggests an abolition of letting fees and an introduction of a new lifetime deposit scheme. 

These changes are expected to improve transparency and affordability for renters, but they will also place additional responsibilities on Landlords to manage deposits and rental payments.

Alongside new regulations being implemented across the country to ensure the safety and energy efficiency of rentals, Landlords must ensure that they are up-to-date with new laws to avoid large penalties from non-compliance. 

Working alongside a letting agent will ease these concerns and provide Landlords with the peace of mind that their rentals are complying with new laws. 

To deal with upcoming changes, Cobbold urged “Letting agents and Landlords make a perfect match. The agents have the professional and managerial expertise to get the optimal return from the Landlords’ valuable assets, ensure their tenants have a great rental experience and protect them from the penalties of non-compliance.”

EPC regulations to be delayed until 2025

by Sorcha DugmorePosted on

Technical difficulties in the UK government’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) database have led to a delay in implementing new regulations for landlords in England. As a result, Landlords will not be required to make certain energy-efficient improvements to their rental properties until 2025 at the earliest. 

Why are EPC regulations becoming stricter? 

According to a recent survey, 90% of tenants believe that energy-efficient homes are essential, and 82% would be willing to pay higher rent for such properties. Additionally, poorly insulated and inefficient properties can lead to 21% higher energy bills, on average, for tenants. Furthermore, the carbon footprint of a typical rental property is 19% higher than that of an owner-occupied home.

Despite the delay in new EPC regulations, Landlords should take steps to improve the energy efficiency of their rental properties as soon as possible. Making energy-efficient upgrades can save an average of £350 a year on energy bills, and upgrading from an EPC rating of D or E to an A or B can add an average of £16,000 to a property’s value.

The most common ways to improve a property’s EPC rating include:

  • Adding (or improving) loft and wall insulation
  • Replacing older boilers for more sustainable alternatives. (This may also save you from costly boiler repairs). 
  • Installing solar panels or alternative methods of creating sustainable energy within the rental homes. 
  • Ensure that glass in your properties is double glazed to improve energy efficiency. 

It is vital to note that the delay in implementing new EPC regulations is a significant setback in the UK’s efforts to achieve its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. However, Landlords can still make a significant impact by taking action to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. By doing so, they can not only save money and increase the value of their property but also improve the quality of life for their tenants.

New ruling gives Landlords more power over evictions

by Sorcha DugmorePosted on

According to a recent announcement, Landlords will be given the power to evict unruly tenants, despite the proposed abolition of the section 21 ruling. 

There has been concern between Landlords following the discussion to get rid of the section 21 ruling, with Landlords concerned that they will have less control over their properties and not be able to evict tenants who breach their tenancy agreement.

Section 21 recap  

In 2019, the UK government announced that Landlords would no longer be able to evict tenants without a legitimate reason under the new Renters Reform Bill. This decision was met with significant opposition from landlords, with 84% of them against the ruling, according to a National Landlords Association survey. 

Landlords were concerned that this would make it more difficult to deal with tenants who were not paying rent, causing damage to the property, or violating the terms of their tenancy agreement.

Good news for Landlords 

The good news is that Landlords will be given more power to evict tenants under Section 8 .

The proposal is that this will be achieved through the introduction of a new model tenancy agreement, which could allow Landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason after four months of the tenancy. 

This means that Landlords will be able to serve notice on tenants more easily and quickly, ensuring that their property is protected.

Eviction restrictions

This power to evict will come with restrictions; Landlords will not be able to use this power to evict tenants who have raised concerns about the condition of the property or have made a complaint about the landlord. 

Additionally, Landlords will still need to follow the procedure for eviction, including providing the tenant with the correct notice and obtaining a court order.

The introduction of this power to evict is positive news for Landlords. This will give them more control over their properties and allow them to take action when necessary. However, there are some potential negatives to consider. Some tenants may be concerned that this power could be abused by Landlords and lead to unfair evictions. It will be important to ensure that the correct procedures are followed and that tenants are treated fairly.

Renters’ Reform Bill: Everything you need to know before May

by Sorcha DugmorePosted on

Announced in June 2022, the Renter’s Reform Bill outlines the Government’s plans to build a fairer private rental sector in the UK. Over the past year, landlords have been following updates relating to this bill, preparing for its live date. Since we are now getting close to the bill due-date (May 2023), this article will summarise everything you need to know should the bill go ahead. 

The end of Section 21 notices

The most significant and talked about change caused by the bill is the end of Section 21 notices. 

Currently, Section 21 notices allow landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason. Under the proposed new rules, landlords will need to provide a valid reason for evicting tenants, such as rent arrears or anti-social behavior. The changes are designed to provide tenants with greater protection and reduce the number of unjust evictions.

Changes to Section 8 notices

Landlords will still be able to use Section 8 notices to evict tenants for specific reasons. However, the grounds for eviction may be limited, and the process time-consuming. For example, landlords will need to give tenants six months’ notice before they can issue a Section 8 notice for rent arrears.

Eviction reasons for a Section 8 notice must be one of the following: 

  • If a tenant has rent arrears
  • If the tenant damages the property
  • If the tenant is causing a nuisance to the neighbours

Security of tenure

The renter’s reform bill will provide tenants with greater security of tenure. As per the plans outlined in the bill, the minimum notice period for tenants to leave a property will be increased from two months to six months, giving tenants more time to find alternative accommodation. 

Additionally, landlords will need to provide tenants with a minimum of three years’ security of tenure before they can end a tenancy.

Preparing for the changes in May 

To prepare for the upcoming changes, landlords would need to review their policies and procedures to ensure they comply with the new rules. This includes ensuring that all tenancy agreements are up to date and providing tenants with the correct documentation.

Working with a letting agent can help landlords to navigate the new rules with ease and ensure that they are properly prepared for all of the new policies which will be coming out of the bill once it is live in May 2023.