LEGISLATION
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Renters Rights Bill, what you need to know
The Renters Rights Bill has been published this week; with the news the Government could introduce new rules as soon as next spring, for both new and existing tenancies.
What has Happened to the Renters Reform Bill
The Renters Reform Bill, which promised to be the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in more than 30 years, is currently in a state of limbo due to the dissolution of Parliament ahead of a snap general election in July.
This unexpected development has significant implications for the future of the bill and has left many tenants and landlords uncertain about what comes next.
Tenancies and Licensees
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, your legal rights will depend on the occupation type you have.
A tenancy carries more rights and is a type of ownership of land or lease. It will continue after the death of the landlord or the tenant. A license is just a personal agreement between the parties and will end on the death of either.
How many people can you have on a joint tenancy agreement?
Say six people sign a tenancy agreement. They will all be bound by the contract element – so they will all be liable for the rent and subject to the terms and conditions in the tenancy agreement.
However they will not all be ‘legal tenants’. Only the first four named in the tenancy agreement will be the legal tenants.
Guidance for landlords on Electrical Safety
The safety of tenants is of paramount importance to landlords in the private rental sector, and rightly so. One of the areas that has been improved immeasurably over the years is electrical safety, and now new guidelines have been published to provide greater awareness and education to landlords.
The EICR Rules for Landlords in England
Conducting an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a mandatory step before renting your property in England.
The EICR involves a thorough examination of the electrical wiring, sockets, consumer units (also known as fuse boards), and any other fixed electrical fittings within your property. As ever, it’s essential for this work to be done by a sufficiently qualified professional.
How to increase rent using the notice procedure?
This procedure is stated in Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 and is only available for periodic assured and assured shorthold tenancies. It can’t be used for common law tenancies or during a fixed term.
You need to use the proper form of notice which is a prescribed form. These are freely available online from a reputable website. This Notice must be completed in full (see the notes with the form to help) and then served on a tenant.
What are Landlords Obligations for Legionnaires Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. It can be contracted in various settings, including domestic premises.
Landlords have specific obligations to ensure the safety and well-being of their tenants. In this blog, we will explore the responsibilities of landlords concerning Legionnaires’ disease and how it impacts on them providing a safe living environment for their tenants.
Pests in Rented Property: Who Takes Charge?
It’s a fact of life that pests and vermin can sometimes invade your living space – whether this be annoying insects, rodents scurrying around, or other unwanted creatures. But who bears the responsibility for tackling these unwelcome guests in a rented property?
The Renters Reform Bill, What do Landlords Need to Know?
It’s been a long time coming, but the biggest legal change in a generation is finally before Parliament. Originally proposed back in 2019, the Renters Reform Bill contains sweeping and landmark reforms, aimed at improving the rental system in England.
Right to Rent Checks The Complete Guide
Landlords must stay on the right side of the law on all manner of issues...
What are the Electrical Legal Requirements for Landlords?
Legal standards for electrical safety in private rented property have...
New Rules for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The government has now released draft legislation to amend the Smoke and...
What Are A Landlords Gas Obligations
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed, and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer.
New Carbon Monoxide Alarm Laws Introduced
This amendment to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 will see all rental properties within England needing a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in any room that is used as living accommodation that has a ‘fixed combustion appliance’ of any fuel type (excluding gas cookers).
What You Need To Know About Ground Rent Reform
What is Ground Rent?
In order to enforce the terms of a lease a ground rent must be set. Ground rent is usually an annual amount stated in the lease payable to the Freeholder for the “renting” of an apartment above the Freeholder’s land.
Get Ready for Right to Rent Check Changes
Landlords and letting agents managing properties are required to undertake Right to Rent checks. There have been recent updates to this legislation and further changes are on the horizon.
What is Right to Rent?
Legislation Update: EICR
All Rented Property in England needs an EICR by 1st April 2021
Japanese Knotweed
If Japanese Knotweed can be treated, why is it still such a problem?
Here are 21 reasons:
Landlords Guide to Water Supply & Your Responsibilities
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) is designed to crack down on properties in the private rented sector that are not fit for human habitation.
Incorporating the Human Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), it covers 29 hazards, such as damp and mould, electrical hazards and asbestos, that all properties must avoid in order to be labelled safe for tenants to live in.
Unfair Terms in Tenancy Agreements
It is probably safe to say that almost everybody finds legal documents confusing. Even lawyers find them difficult to understand sometimes!
Standard terms and conditions are even more confusing. Written in small writing making them difficult to read, and usually involve long words and unusual phrases, it is not surprising that some people don’t even read them.
Landlords Obligations – Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaire’s Disease is a disease which is caught by inhaling droplets of water containing the Legionella bacteria. People with weaker immune systems are particularly at risk.
Landlord Responsibilities – Gas Regulations
Landlords must have the gas installations inspected annually by an engineer registered with the Gas Safe Register. Tenants must be given a certificate provided by the engineer, both when they go into the property and on an annual basis once the tenancy has started.
Right To Rent Checks
According to the 2014 Immigration Act, Section 22, a landlord is not legally allowed to let somebody have a tenancy agreement entitling them to live in a rental property as their main or sole residence unless they are a UK citizen, from Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA) unless they have a Right to Rent in this country. All landlords renting out private accommodation in England must conduct right-to-rent checks on new tenancy agreements to confirm that renters are legally able to rent in the UK.
Landlords Obligations For Furniture & Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, have an impact on furniture supplied as part of a part furnished or furnished let, and needs to comply with certain safety standards.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
What Does This Act Mean? Under this Act, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985...
