Something else to think about for 2025
At the moment the focus is well & truly on the Renters’ Rights Bill and for good reason given the impact that such a significant piece of legislation will have on the Private Rented Sector. However, there are other crucial pieces of information / updates that property professionals need to be aware of.
Land Registry Fees
The Land Registry is a cornerstone of land registration in England & Wales, relied upon by many different Stakeholders as a source of information. From Monday 9 December, 2023, fees for HM Land Registry information services increased for the first time in more than 10 years.
The fee will increase by £4, for example:
inspection of an individual register or plan (digital copy) increased from £3 to £7
official copy of an individual register or plan (digital copy) increased from £3 to £7
registration, cancellation or rectification of an entry per name (Agricultural Credits Service or application) increased from £1 to £5
The increase reflects the increased costs of running and improving HM Land Registry’s services, as well as plans to increase digitalisation and transformation of data. However, even with this increase, the majority of customers will still be paying less than they were in 1992.
The results for the call for evidence from 2024 will be published this year and form the basis of a proposal for a more substantial change to the structure of HM Land Registry fees, which will be shared in a full, public consultation.
Energy Efficiency
At the beginning of December, the government launched a consultation into the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and air conditioning inspection reports (ACIRs).
The government is committed to reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings to provide a system which:
provides homeowners and tenants with accurate information about the energy performance of their homes to allow them to make informed investment and purchase decisions
provides accurate information to determine eligibility for schemes and measure progress against government targets
provides an information tool to support a range of actions including reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty, improving decency and the Warm Homes Plan
reflects the needs of wider users of EPCs beyond homeowners and tenants, such as suppliers of energy efficiency products and services, as well as lenders
To achieve this, the consultation includes proposed reforms to enhance the regime in 5 critical areas:
updating what EPCs measure through additional metrics
updating when energy certificates are required by refining the rules for obtaining EPCs and DECs
managing energy certificate quality
improving the accessibility of building performance data
strengthening the quality of air conditioning inspection reports
The consultation closes in February 2025. Click here to make your comments
Changes to the Selective Licensing process
From the 23rd December 20024, a selective licensing scheme “of any size” without sign-off from central government. was introduced. Previously, local authorities were required to present their business case to the Secretary of State for Housing, Known as General Approval, the local housing authority must still satisfy all statutory requirements contained in Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. In addition, local authorities will be expected to consult for a period of at least 10 weeks on the proposed designation.
Before proposing a designation and embarking on a consultation, the local housing authority must identify the problems affecting the area to which the designation will apply and provide evidence to demonstrate the existence of the problems.
A selective licensing designation may be made if the area to which it relates satisfies one or more of the following conditions. The area is one experiencing:
low housing demand (or is likely to become such an area)
a significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour
poor housing conditions
high levels of migration
high level of deprivation
high levels of crime
It is prudent to note and reterate, that Local Authorities will be required to consult before going ahead. At present their are more than 30 local authorities consulting on Selective Licensing.
EICRs up for Renewal
Almost 5 years ago the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force and so we move towards the five year anniversary of the regulations, which means that many EICRs executed on or before the 1st June 2020, will be coming up for renewal. Landlords will have to ensure that the electrical installations in their properties are inspected and tested again by a person who is qualified and competent.
There is no ‘period of grace’ which means that the new certificate must be issued before or on the date the existing EICR expires.
The Rules
The landlord will be required to :-
Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test
Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises
Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.
No doubt there will be a huge demand for contractors, therefore it is prudent to diarise these inspections well in advance to avoid any delay and subsequently, non-compliance.