The Renters' Rights Bill and How It Affects You

 

Important Update: The Renters' Rights Bill and How It Affects You

Dear Valued Client As the Renters' Rights Bill moves closer to becoming law in 2025 following its second reading in February, it's essential to understand how these changes might affect you as a landlord. We want to ensure you stay informed and compliant while continuing to manage your rental properties efficiently. Here's a brief overview of the key points and how our flexible letting services can help to keep you compliant and protected.   Section 21 Abolition No-fault evictions will end, but landlords can still reclaim properties under new grounds, such as selling or moving back in to the property. What this means for you Very little change. The new grounds under Section 8 will cover nearly all cases where you would have used Section 21. In our branch, most Section 21 notices could be replaced with Section 8. How we can help Although the details are still being worked out, Our team will keep you updated when more is known. Our team will also keep the transition smooth, handling the changes in processes for you.   Court Delays Concerns about delays eviction delays are being addressed with clearer grounds for possession, dispute resolution through the Ombudsman, and digital systems expedite outcomes but the impact of this will not be known until the transition occurs How we can help Our rent guarantee insurance covers eviction costs and lost rent, ensuring stable income during any delays.  We’ll handle the entire process, from insurance to resolution.   Periodic Tenancies Tenants will have the flexibility to give two months' notice at any time, similar to existing practices in Scotland which has seen minimal impact on tenancy durations. What this means for you While tenants can leave with notice, this won’t drastically change how long people stay. If tenants are unhappy, it’s better for them to move on rather than cause issues for you. How we can help We’ll manage tenant transitions seamlessly, minimizing disruption and swiftly finding new tenants when needed.   Rent Increases Annual rent increases remain possible as long as they match market rates in the current version of the Bill. Tenants have the option to appeal to a tribunal if they believe that the rent increase is unfair. How we can help We’ll support you with market data to justify rent increases, ensuring a fair process that keeps your property competitive.   PRS Ombudsman A new Ombudsman for landlords will  be introduced to handle landlord-tenant disputes and resolve these disputes efficiently, reducing the need for costly legal action. How we can help We’ll assist with registration with the Ombudsman and manage any disputes on your behalf, saving you time, stress and ensuring a smooth dispute resolution for you.   PRS Property Portal This new portal will help landlords demonstrate compliance with legal obligations. How we can help We’ll ensure you have all necessary documentation to remain compliant, taking the worry out of new regulations and reducing the risk of fines.   Pet Requests Tenants can request pets, however, landlords can require insurance to cover potential damages. Landlords should only refuse if it’s reasonable to do so. What this means for you If your property is suitable for pets, you’ll need to allow them with reasonable conditions. How we can help We’ll manage pet requests and ensure appropriate insurance is in place to protect your property.   Non-discrimination Landlords cannot discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving benefits. What this means for you You can still conduct thorough tenant referencing to ensure you select suitable tenants, but you cannot discriminate based on these categories. How we can help Our thorough tenant referencing ensures you find reliable tenants while adhering to regulations.   Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law New standards will set strict timelines for addressing issues like damp and mould. How we can help We already comply with similar standards. We’ll make sure we check and highlight whether your property meets these standards. Our proactive approach ensures your property remains in top condition. This will ensure your let remains a safe and desirable place to live, reducing the risk of fines and maintaining tenant satisfaction.   No Bidding Wars Landlords will no longer be able to accept offers above the asking rent. How we can help We’ll set competitive, market-accurate rents, ensuring you attract tenants quickly while securing the best possible income. We’re fully prepared for these upcoming changes and are here to guide you through them. Our experienced team will ensure you remain compliant while protecting your investment. By partnering with us, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your property is in expert hands. Our flexible letting services are designed to keep you compliant with all new regulations, safeguarding your investment and simplifying the process- essentially if you are not a fully managed client now is the time to talk to ourselves.   We look forward to continuing to support you, for more information, please visit: https://www.whitegates.co.uk/landlords/letting-compliance/   Best Regards Chan Khangura BA (Hons) DipRLM MARLA MNAEA Proprietor & Managing Director Whitegates Estate Agents Huddersfield, Brighouse & Holmfirth Proprietor & Managing Director Whitegates Pontefract & South Elmsall Owner Whitworths Managing Agents, Let Two, CMK Lettings, Easy Lettings Northwest, McField Lettings Brighouse, Linden Lettings, & Local Properties Pontefract https://whitegates-huddersfield.homesearch.co.uk https://huddersfieldproperty.blogspot.com