Tenancy Agreement New Rules

Tenancy Agreement New Rules: What You Need to Know

If you are a landlord or a tenant, understanding the rules that govern a tenancy agreement is crucial to avoid any legal disputes or misunderstandings in the future. With the constant changes in tenancy laws in different countries, it is essential to remain updated on the latest regulations to ensure that your rights are protected.

Here are the top tenancy agreement new rules that you should be aware of:

1. Longer notice periods

In England, notice periods for most eviction cases have been extended to six months until March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that landlords cannot evict tenants without giving them a six-month notice period unless there are exceptional circumstances.

2. The end of Section 21

Starting from March 2021, landlords in England will no longer be able to use Section 21 notices to end a tenancy without reason. This means that landlords will have to provide a valid reason for ending the tenancy, such as the tenant’s breach of tenancy agreement or sale of the property.

3. Tenant fees ban

In June 2019, the tenant fees ban was introduced in England, which means that tenants can no longer be charged for administrative fees, referencing fees, or inventory checks. The only allowable fees are for rent and deposits.

4. Energy efficiency

New regulations in England require landlords to ensure that their rental properties have an energy performance certificate rating of E or above. This rule applies to new and renewed tenancies from April 2018 onwards and to all rented properties from April 2020.

5. Electrical safety checks

In England from July 2020, landlords must carry out electrical safety checks in their rental properties every five years. These checks must be carried out by a qualified electrician, and the landlord must provide a copy of the test certificate to the tenant.

6. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

In England since 2015, landlords must install smoke alarms on each floor of a rental property and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms with solid fuel appliances. Tenants must also test the alarms and detectors regularly.

7. Right to rent checks

In England, landlords have a legal obligation to carry out right to rent checks on their tenants to ensure that they have the legal right to rent in the country. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £3,000 per tenant.

8. HMO licensing

In England, landlords who rent out a property to five or more tenants, living in two or more households, must obtain a mandatory HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) license. Failure to do so could result in a fine or criminal conviction.

9. Deposit protection

In England, landlords must protect their tenants’ deposits in a government-approved deposit protection scheme. This rule applies to all assured shorthold tenancies and failure to comply could result in a fine of up to three times the amount of the deposit.

10. Repairs and maintenance

In both England and Wales, landlords are responsible for ensuring that their rental properties are safe and habitable, including repairing and maintaining essential services such as heating and plumbing. Tenants have the right to request repairs and maintenance, and landlords must respond promptly.

In conclusion, it is important to stay updated on the latest tenancy agreement new rules to avoid any legal disputes or misunderstandings. Ensure that you are complying with these regulations and always seek professional advice if you are unsure about any aspect of your tenancy agreement.