Revised guidance published on terms used in property advertising
15th August 2023 • Published by the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team
Revised guidance has been published by the National Trading Standards Estate & Letting Agency Team with regard to supplementary terms used when marketing properties.
The guidance now includes terms relating to lettings and has been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders. Please see the revised guidance here.
The guidance has been updated to provide clarity and consistency for agents and consumers and improve standards across the industry.
New How to Rent Guide due in October
On 2 October 2023, a new version of the How to Rent guide is expected. This new version will cover the new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service, a service which has been put in place by the Government to provide tenants with legal advice on housing and matters relating to possession.
The How to Rent Guide was put in place under the Deregulation Act 2015 and explains what tenants need to know about renting a property through private landlords.
Get Your Rental Property Autumn Ready
As the temperatures drop and Autumn and Winter approach, it is important to be prepared for what the months ahead may bring. Often landlords tend to be reactive to issues caused by the change in weather, however, it makes sense and is much more cost -effective to be proactive and this carefully about what needs to be done in advance. Property managers have the organisational skills and network to make sure that landlords are not left facing hundreds of pounds worth of repairs that could have been avoided.
October 1st Deadline - Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022)
Businesses who own, manage, build and develop blocks of flats and apartments must be fully aware of the significant and imminent revisions to fire safety legislation – section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) which are due to come into force on 1st October 2023.
The BSA 2022 introduces a rigorous new building safety regime for certain residential buildings, imposing more onerous requirements on those identified as “higher-risk buildings”. 1 October 2023 will bring this new regime into force.
From the 1 October 2023, all new higher-risk buildings must be registered with the BSR. Until the new building has been registered, units must not be occupied. The application to register a higher-risk building should be submitted once a completion certificate has been issued.