The spread of novel coronavirus around the world has been taking over the media. While your views on the seriousness of the issue may vary it is an issue which is coming to the attention of an increasing number of landlords and agents. We look here at some of the key issues. Discrimination First, it …
The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) has updated its guide for landlords on Universal Credit. Our previous post on the guide can be read here. Fundamentally nothing appears to have changed with the guide. It does however, appear to be more detailed in certain respects and certainly in respect of alternative payment arrangements (APA). …
In recent years the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has successfully prosecuted a number of agents for operating cartels in their local areas. Following on from this it appears that the CMA considers that there may be a problem with the estate agency market more generally and it has now launched a campaign about the …
We have previously written about the new electrical safety regulations which will apply to new tenancies from July 2020 and existing tenancies from April 2021. Now the RLA is suggesting that there may be a flaw in the legislation which will leave HMO properties not needing electrical testing for approximately 12 months. HMOs, licensable and …
A section 8 notice is not necessarily invalid due to an obvious error held the Court of Appeal in Pease v Carter. Mr Pease served a section 8 notice with cover letter on 7 November 2018 on his tenants for rent arrears. The cover letter stated correctly that proceedings would not be issued before 26 …
On 10 February the Welsh government introduced the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill. With this Bill the government hopes that tenants in Wales will enjoy greater security. If passed the Bill will amend the yet to come into force Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (2016 Act) especially for those who occupy rental properties under a …
Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules has been amended. The changes will come into force on 6 April 2020. The Civil Procedure Rules govern all actions in the Civil Courts. Part 55 of these Rules deal with possession cases including those for residential tenancies. The Rules are regularly reviewed and updated with the most …
On 7 February the Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords. The Bill requires the Secretary of State to ensure that domestic properties have a minimum energy performance rating of C on an Energy Performance Certificate. However, despite the Lord’s initial support for the Bill at this stage …
On 3 February the government laid new legislation before Parliament to amend the Client Money Protection Regulations which came into force on 1 April 2019. If the Client Money Protection (CMP) Schemes for Property Agents (Approval and Designation of Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 come into force they will amend the requirement for agents to open …
On 10 January 2020 the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) came into force in the UK. Our previous post can be read here. Unfortunately, despite coming into force more than 21 days ago we still do not have a guidance document. However, HM Treasury has issued a response to the 5MLD consultation which does have …
An Exeter lettings agent has been disqualified for 6 years after failing to safeguard more then £68,000 in tenancy deposits. The agency operated a custodial deposit scheme in accordance with the Housing Act 2004 and held the deposits on behalf of their landlords. However, from around June 2016 to April 2019 the agency failed to …
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have now been published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Regulations will apply in England only and need to be approved by Parliament before they come into force on 1 June 2020. Once they are in force the Regulations …
On 10 January the fifth money laundering directive came into force in the UK. Our previous detailed post can be read here. We were hoping for a guidance document to assist with a further post but unfortunately the wait continues. With that in mind we can only give brief details of the legislation and what …
Last month Whirlpool announced a product recall for washing machines manufactured under the Hotpoint and Indesit brand names between 2014 and 2018. Product recalls are usually announced by large companies when there is a genuine problem with the products that have been sold or being sold by major high street or online brands. Whirlpool is …
The Tenant Fees Act came into force in England in June 2019 but only applied to tenancy renewals and new tenancies. In June 2020 it will be extended to apply to all tenancies, that is tenancies which commenced prior to 1 June 2019. Our previous posts can be read here. The Act bans landlords and …
Since April 2018 private rental properties could only be legally let to new tenants if they had a minimum energy efficiency rating of E (unless exempted). Our previous posts can be read here. On 6 April 2018 the minimum energy efficiency standard came into force. This meant that only properties with a minimum EPC rating …
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