Lots More New Regulations Have Just Come Into Force
Another raft of new regulations impacting private landlords came into force on October 1st, 2015.
Lots More New Regulations Have Just Come Into Force
From that date, all privately let properties will have to have a smoke alarm on any living space level and these alarms must be tested before a new tenancy starts.
In all rooms where solid fuel can be used, there must also be a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm fitted too. (There are, of course additional and existing fire safety rules for HMOs to comply with. These are unchanged).
For new tenancies starting on or after 1st October 2015, before a tenancy starts, the tenants must have been given an Energy Performance Report (EPC), a copy of the gas safety certificate and also now, in England, they must have seen the (in my view, rather over the top and lengthy,) new document issued by the government called “How to Rent”.
We suggest all three are included with the tenancy agreement and that tenants sign the tenancy agreement to also agree they have seen all these. They should also sign a statement on the tenancy agreement to say they have seen proof that the smoke alarms work.
There are also new rules on retaliatory evictions – so landlords giving notice under Section 21 are advised to keep an audit trail showing they are actioning maintenance / fix requests, just in case of a challenge. And you cannot give a section 21 notice until four months into a tenancy.
ABOUT LETTINGFOCUS
Services to Businesses and the Public Sector
We advise a range of organisations including banks, building societies, local authorities, social housing providers, institutional investors and insurers. We help them develop and improve their services and products for private landlords. David Lawrenson, founder of LettingFocus, also writes for property portals, speaks at property events and is regularly quoted by the media.
Services for Private Landlords
We help landlords and property investors by showing them how to make money in the private rented sector using ways which are fair to tenants and which involve minimal risk.
Our advice is completely independent. We take don’t commission payments or fees from anyone, ever.
HOME PAGE OF THIS BLOG: Blog
THE HOME PAGE OF THE MAIN SITE: http://www.LettingFocus.com
For general information on our CONSULTING SERVICES: Consultancy and Seminars
For ONE TO ONE PRIVATE CONSULTANCY FOR PRIVATE LANDLORDS: Property Advice
NEXT SEMINAR & NETWORKING MEET EVENT FOR LANDLORDS: Landlord and Property Letting Seminar
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS – from both organisations and private landlords: Testimonials
IN THE MEDIA: Recent press coverage
BUY “SUCCESSFUL PROPERTY LETTING”
Our book is the highest selling personal finance and property book in the UK. Click here to Find Out More and Buy it. And if you are from an organisation and would like to bulk buy, please ask us for special rates.
TO JOIN OUR FREE NEWSLETTER Mailing which goes to over 3,750 people (as at Jan 2015) just send an email to [email protected]
We do not send spam or sell our mailing list to advertisers, though we occasionally mail landlords about good products from third parties. Please put us on your “white list” to ensure you receive our emails.
OFFERS ON PRODUCTS FOR LANDLORDS and TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS to LANDLORDS: Landlords Resources
PERUSE LAST TEN BLOGS BY GETTING THE RSS FEED: Click Here
NEXT SEMINAR EVENTS FOR LANDLORDS: Landlord and Property Letting Seminar
TWITTER PAGE My thoughts on property, personal finance, plus a lot of other random things: Twitter
Copyright of Blog: David Lawrenson 2015. Please link to us here or quote us. We actively pursue copyright infringements. The blog is updated roughly once a week.