What Has Happened
The Renters Reform Bill aims to fundamentally reform the landlord-tenant relationship, granting more perceived rights to tenants and introducing wide-ranging changes across rental law.
Key Changes in the Bill
- Ban on Section 21 (no-fault) evictions
- New grounds under Section 8, for example, when the landlord wants to sell the property
- Stricter standards for property condition
- New offences for breaching rules
- Limits and rules on rental increases
- Changes to advertising and lettings
- Automatic conversion of all tenancies to periodic tenancies
When Will Changes Take Effect?
The government will announce a ‘commencement date’, which will mark the start of the new rules and the timeline for implementation. Specific dates for each change are not yet confirmed, so for now, business continues as usual.
However, the following are expected:
- Within 30 days of commencement, landlords must:
- Provide tenants with a written periodic tenancy
- Provide tenants with a document outlining the changes (provided by the government)
- Any Section 21 or Section 8 notices on abolished grounds can only be used for 3 months following commencement; after this, they will be invalid.
What Should Landlords Do Now?
Compliance will be critical to ensure you can continue to manage your properties effectively. We recommend taking the following steps:
- Provide tenants with a written contract
- Inspect properties, preferably with a disrepair expert, to identify any required work
- Complete any work necessary to meet Decent Homes standards
- Ensure you have Gas Certificates, EPCs, and EICRs
- Return deposits if you have not complied with regulations
- Serve tenants with a compliance pack containing all required documents
How We Can Help
Our experienced team can:
- Audit your compliance documents and advise on gaps or risks
- Handle property inspections and liaise with tenants regarding certificates and maintenance
- Manage your property so you’re fully prepared when the changes come into effect
For support or advice, please contact our team via info@ast-assistance.com or complete the contact form on our website.
