Has letting property become a legal minefield

Today is an important day for both landlords and tenants, new pieces of legislation come into force for the protection of both, getting the message out to them is a task in itself, especially if we are talking about private landlords who run their business part time or live abroad and have no management agency to advise them or deal with the changes.

We have already touched on the legislation in an earlier breaking news item, what is so important though is that unless rules, which are laid out in the Deregulation Bill 2015 are followed to the book, then any landlord action will be invalidated. In the rules there  is  a subsection that states ‘that failure to follow a prescribed repairs process can invalidate a ‘section 21 notice’ it also prevents notice for a six month period if the landlord is issued with an improvement notice by their local authority. Landlords will not be able to serve a section 21 form within the first four months of a tenancy.

Any landlord that does not comply with existing energy performance certificate (EPC) and gas safety certificate requirements will also find that any section 21 notice they issue will be invalid.

It is now more important than ever that Landlords keep to date with changes to  regulations in their industry, the consequences to not keeping up todate can be very costly. Landlords who cannot for one reason or another put the time needed to managing their property or properties should look to employing a letting agency or management company who will takeover such responsibilities, thus avoiding the minefield of legislation that confronts them.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

England tightens planning rules to save local pubs

Turning pubs into housing or offices will be made harder as part of changes to government planning rules in England. Under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), anyone seeking to change the use of a beloved local venue must now provide strict proof that the business cannot survive, including evidence that it has been…
Read More
Breaking News

UK modern method auction house sales up nearly 15%

UK house sales via modern method auctions increase nearly 15% year-on-year New data from leading estate and lettings agency network shows growing appetite for modern method auctions, with completion times 43% quicker on average versus traditional methods Modern method auction (MMoA) sales are gaining ground in the UK housing market. New data from Lomond, the UK’s leading network of lettings and sales…
Read More
Breaking News

London’s garden squares commanding huge market premiums

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that homes surrounding some of Prime London’s most prestigious garden squares continue to command huge values even in cooler market conditions, with buyers paying property premiums as high as 175% compared to the wider borough. Wilton Crescent Garden, located on the…
Read More
Breaking News

Full Steam Ahead to Fast-Track More Homes Near Stations

Thousands of quality homes to be built closer to stations, cutting commute times and helping families live closer to work, school and transport New planning rules will fast-track building quality homes near transport hubs in England Part of the biggest rewrite of planning rules in over a decade to build homes faster, drive good growth, unlock investment, jobs and education opportunities   Thousands of new homes will be built around England’s train, tram and underground stations under new planning…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 17/8/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   New regional property roadshow to generate conversations with vendors, buyers and homeowners   Fine & Country West Wales, in partnership with Homes of Wales, is launching a new regional property roadshow designed to generate conversations with vendors, buyers and homeowners whose moving plans have…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Largest August price drop since 2018 despite mini Burnham bounce in demand

Average newly-listed asking prices drop by 2.0% (-£7,360) this month to £364,999, a much larger than usual August drop: Many summer sellers slash their price expectations in reaction to the quieter holiday period and 12-year high number of homes for sale at this time of year Average prices are now 1.0% lower than a year…
Read More