Renters’ Reform Bill - Committee Stage
Finally, the Government has provided some much needed information on the Renters Reform Bill. The Second Reading of the Bill took place late on a Monday evening, lasting 4 hours and was passed in the Commons on 23rd October 2023.
The Bill focuses on a range of reforms to achieve this, including abolishing the landlord’s ability to rely on Section 21; ending the use of assured shorthold tenancie (ASTs); creating a new register of PRS landlords'; introducing a property portal and establishing a Landlord Ombudsman for the Private Rented Sector to help tenants and landlords to resolve disputes.
Revised Guidance for Right to Checks
All landlords in England have a responsibility to prevent those without lawful immigration status from accessing the private rented sector. You do this by conducting right to rent checks on all prospective adult tenants before the start date of a tenancy agreement, to make sure the person is not disqualified from renting a property by reason of their immigration status.
This guidance provides information on how and when to conduct a right to rent check. You should also refer to the following documents:
Code of practice on right to rent: civil penalty scheme for landlords and their agents
Code of practice for landlords avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks in the private residential sector
Right to Rent Checks: A user guide for tenants and landlords
If you conduct the checks as set out in this guidance and the code of practice, you will have a statutory excuse against liability for a penalty in the event you are found to have rented to a person who is disqualified by reason of their immigration status.
Fire Places and Chimneys
As autumn approaches it’s the time to not only service boilers and heating systems, but also to check that ‘real fires’ are safe and well-maintained.
The Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Regulations 2015, further amended in October 2022 introduced the requirement for Carbon Monoxide detectors to places where there is ‘solid fuel’. it is of paramount importance to ensure that the safety of wood-burners and live fires is high on the agenda of landlords and property managers.
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.