With the announcement of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords have any set of regulations to follow. For a profession which is already laden with rules and regulations, many landlords will feel concerned as to whether they are up to date with the rules they must follow.
It is important landlords offer a safe and secure rental premises, and the regulations are helpful in this. However, with so many rules to consider, we know some landlords benefit from a helping hand in managing their rental property. At Andrew Lees, we are always happy to provide you with support and guidance in managing your rental property.
Some of the most common ways landlords fail to comply with regulations are included below:
Tenant Fees Ban is a concern for many landlords
The Tenant Fees Ban has been in effect since June of 2019. Landlords must state all costs in their advertised rental rates, and there has been a significant reduction in fees landlords can charge. As an example, landlords are no longer allowed to charge a fee for inventory costs, references and credit checks.
There are also limits on holding and security deposits. Many landlords have had to change their working practices, and if you need assistance in this area, we are happy to help. If you fail to comply with the Tenant Fees Ban, you may face a fine of up to £5,000 and civil penalties of up to £30,000 may be imposed.
Homes (Fitness for Habitation) Act is an issue for landlords to consider
This Act was introduced in March of 2019, and it requires landlords to present a home that is fit for human habitation. The biggest change with this regulation is the fact tenants can take a landlord to court if the landlord fails to provide a suitable standard of rental property.
Issues such as mould, dampness, a lack of natural light, a poor quality of ventilation, structural instability, inadequate water supply and drainage issues can lead to a landlord being in trouble. Therefore, it is imperative landlords ensure their rental property is retained in excellent condition.
Other issues landlords need to consider when letting property include:
- HMO Licencing matters, if applicable
- Minimise space standards
- Retaining appropriate paperwork
We know being a landlord is a challenging role, but we are on hand to assist you. If you have concerns about any of these matters, or any thing in the industry, please let us know and we will be happy to help. We are pleased to say we have supported many Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane landlords, and if you require assistance managing your rental property, we can help you.
If you’re a landlord looking for support in the buy-to-let market, or you would like to arrange a property valuation, get in touch with Andrew Lees. We are pleased to say we have supported many Bridgwater landlords, as well as landlords operating across Sedgemoor & Taunton Deane, and we look forward to helping you.