Are you ready for the Renters’ Rights Act?

Katie Roughley, Winkworth’s rentals expert, outlines the main changes in the latest episode of the Property Exchange podcast, highlighting the main points in the legislation:

• The  abolition of Section 21 no fault evictions
• The move to rolling assured tenancies in place of fixed-term agreements
• Changes to the Section 8 grounds for terminating rental contracts
• Limits on taking rent in advance
• A ban on rental bidding
• A ban on rental discrimination
• New requirements around pet requests
• Limits on rent increases to once a year

Katie told the podcast: “ Landlords need to do an audit for  every aspect of their rental, from safety certificates and maintenance to lodging of deposits.  Have they visited the property recently? There are now set processes in place and landlords need to ensure they comply. Landlords may fall foul accidentally if they are not fully up to speed with all the changes. Penalties for non-compliance will be significant.”

Clamping down on rogue landlords will be one of the positive outcomes of the Act. Katie told the podcast: “The legislation is going to make a real difference to rogue landlords. There is a database where they need to register, lodge certificates etc. Councils will have strengthened powers and will have the right to go into properties to proactively police rogue landlords.”

Aaron Priscott, lettings director of Winkworth’s Kensal Rise and Queen’s Park office, said: “There has been some uncertainty from many landlords. Some are professional and some accidental landlords but all must ensure they are set up properly. They are running a business and they also need to take the latest advice and have the right mortgage in place to maximise their income.

“One of the most important ways we can help our landlord clients is to ensure we find them the best tenants – people who can pay their rent on time and look after the property.  With the changes coming into force, the landlord/tenant relationship is going to be a long-term one.  For tenants, the new Act offers some positive opportunities and we are  advising all our tenants of all the changes.”

Winkworth has comprehensive guides and advice videos for landlords and tenants on the Renters’ Right Act on our website.