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Insights - Regulations
A Landlord’s Guide to Protecting Tenants Against Legionnaire’s Disease
All landlords have legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of their tenants. Under these responsibilities, Legionnaire’s disease ranks as one of the most significant health concerns that must be considered when letting to tenants. Here’s why it’s vital to be aware of what Legionnaire’s disease is, why it is harmful, and how to check for and prevent it.
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Is Landlord and Tenant Mediation to Become Mandatory During Evictions?
A report published last month centring on whether people involved in litigation should be forced to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) such as mediation, could potentially have considerable consequences for possession cases involving landlords and tenants.
Landlord Advice on Moving Out Self-Isolating Tenants
The government has recently made it clear as to how landlords and letting agents should deal with the issue of self-isolating tenants who are due to move out of a property. Junior Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has said that accommodation providers are ‘strongly urged’ to be flexible when it comes to extending tenancies and delaying moving tenants out if they are isolating due to COVID-19.
Right to Rent Checks Now Mandatory for ALL New Tenants
From 1 July 2021, all landlords must check the immigration status of prospective tenants, no matter their nationality. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and members of their families must now hold an immigration status in the UK, just the same as any foreign national. Whilst an EEA passport or national ID card was previously adequate to prove a right to rent, these can no longer be relied upon.
Letting to Disabled Tenants: A Landlord’s Guide
Landlords must comply with the Equality Act 2010, and should be aware of their legal responsibilities regarding disabled tenants who may need alterations made or be provided with some form of assistance to allow them to live comfortably in the home they are renting. But just what should landlords be doing to accommodate disabled tenants and comply with the law?
Blind Safety in Rental Property: What Landlords Need to Know
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), at least 35 young children across the UK have died because of looped cords on blinds since 2001. Whilst new blinds are manufactured to improved safety standards, it is reckoned that there are millions of older blinds in homes across the country. For this reason, it is crucial that landlords take steps to ensure blind safety, particularly when renting to families with children.
Could ‘Green Mortgages’ be the Solution for Landlords Looking to Improve EPC Ratings?
With the government’s Green Homes Grant off the agenda, and new energy efficiency rules for rental property on their way in, there is a growing need for some form of funding to help landlords meet their regulatory responsibilities. One such solution could be the ‘green mortgage’. Here’s the lowdown on these loans that are designed to support sustainable home improvements.
Why Landlords are Wise to Enhance Record-Keeping During the Pandemic
Whilst lockdown measures are gradually being eased, the fact is that landlords remain under pressure. What’s more, tenants may still be facing financial difficulties, meaning rent arrears could continue to pose a problem. With all of this in mind, the importance for landlords of keeping accurate records during the pandemic cannot be stressed enough.
Landlords: How to Avoid Fines for Non-Compliance with Lettings Legislation
Property industry reports reveal that local authorities and Trading Standards enforcers are starting to take an even stricter line when it comes to making sure private landlords are compliant with regulations, leaving some rental property providers with fines ranging from £48,000 to £330,000 due to failures.
Government Reveals Plans for Evictions Ban Wind-Down
The government has announced plans to wind down the current evictions ban, meaning that landlords finally have some clarity on moving forward with evictions that are currently on hold, and have been for some time. Bailiffs will as a result be able to reinstate their roles from 1st June 2021.
