What is in Store for 24!

2024 looks to be potentially a big year for Landlords with significant changes all moving forwards. Read more below on what to look out for this year!

Renters Reform Bill

2024 is looking to be the year that the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill becomes statute.

We don’t yet know what will be in the actual legislation, but the bill is currently at the Report Stage where MPs on the Marshall List can list amendments.

The bill then will receive a third hearing in Parliament and vote prior to going to the House of Lords.

Please see below the link below if you wish to follow the bill’s passage.

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3462

Until this has happened it is a case of carrying on as normal.

We will keep you posted in future blogs as to its progress.

Material Information

Agents and Landlords now must provide more information about their properties when advertising them.

As well as a tenant having the right to know the rent, deposit, council tax, availability date and tenancy term, as of 30 November 2023, NTSELAT introduced guidance on how to comply with the Consumer Protections from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Landlords and / or agents must now supply material information parts B & C.

A synopsis of these is below but please go to https://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/work-areas/estate-agency-team/material-information for more information or contact the team at Emsleys for guidance.

Part B

Property Type, Property Construction, Number of Rooms, electric supply, water supply, sewage, heating, broadband and mobile coverage, parking.

Part C

Building safety, Restrictions, Rights and Easements, Food Risk, Coastal Erosion Risk, Planning Permission

Accessibility/adaptions, Coalfield, or mining area.

You must still also inform tenants of the Energy Performance Rating.

Right to Rent Checks

As of the 22 January 2024, how Right to Rent checks are undertaken is not changing but the penalties for not carrying them out and knowingly allowing those that do not have the right to remain in the UK have changed. The penalties that can be levied are now up to £5000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier for a first breach. Repeat breaches could cost a landlord up to £10,000 per lodger and a maximum of £20,00- per occupier.

If your tenant cannot provide share codes, you can fall back on the loss of documents issued by the government that satisfy the right to rent documents and you can now also contact the Home Office by using the landlords checking service to verify these.

Always remember to take a note of the end date of any time limited Right to Rents and follow them up with your tenant before they expire. If a tenant refuses to give a share code or provide the relevant information, then notify the Home Office.

Please see below the government link for your use:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landlords-guide-to-right-to-rent-checks

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-code-of-practice-on-right-to-rent/draft-code-of-practice-on-right-to-rent-right-to-rent-scheme-for-landlords-and-their-agents-accessible.