Property Search

landlord compliance

Renters’ Right Act Ready Landlord?

by
McCarthy Holden property let image

If you’re a residential landlord not yet ready for May 1st., we can help and here are some useful insights…

We are helping hundreds of our landlord clients to prepare for the may 1st changes, but there are many residential landlords who are being impacted by too many commentators scaremongering about the new Renters Rights Act, so this news item is a summary to try and provide some clear information about the key factors a Landlord needs to be aware of.

With the right professional agent support there isn’t anything a landlord needs to be worried about.

At McCarthy Holden we shall be implementing these changes in line with the Government’s phased timeline and we aim to provide our Landlords with a seamless transition from May this year.

In essence the new law aims to rebalance rights between tenants and landlords by strengthening safety and security for those renting, tightening the overall standard of rental properties, and simplifying dispute resolution.

The main changes include the following;

Abolishment Of ‘no-fault’ Section 21 Evictions

Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will no longer be available for use from 1st May 2026. For a Landlord this means that gaining possession of their property will only be possible through a defined set of approved grounds under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 by mean of serving a Section 8 notice citing specific grounds and the notice period shall vary depending on the ground being relied on.

Occupation By The Landlord Or Family

It will be possible to gain possession in circumstances where a landlord or close family member wishes to move into the property. This cannot be used for the first twelve months of a tenancy and the Notice period shall be at least 4 months.

Sale Of The Property

Possession will be possible in circumstances where a landlord needs to sell the property, however, this again, cannot be used for the first twelve months of a tenancy with a Notice period of at least 4 months being required.

Rent Arrears

If a tenant has at least three months rental arrears (please note this must both be at the time notice is served and at the time of a possession hearing), then a landlord can move to gain possession of the property after serving a Section 8 with 4 week notice period.

There are also other grounds within Section 8 , both mandatory and discretionary for reasons of possession.

What Happens With An Existing AST Tenancy

On the 1st May 2026, if you currently have a tenant in situ with an Assured Shorthold tenancy (AST), this tenancy shall automatically become a ‘statutory periodic tenancy’ from this date and after this date the tenant shall be able to give 2 months notice at any time. A landlord however, will only be able to give notice for specific reasons and not to end before a tenant has been allowed to live in the property for at least 12 months.

Rental Increases

Shall only be able to be administered via the service of a Section 13 notice. These notices cannot be served more than once within a 12 month period and a landlord must provide at least 2 months notice of the increase if the rent is paid monthly. If a tenant wishes to challenge a rent increase, they can do so by applying to the first tier tribunal.

Introduction Of A New Decent Homes Standard

With mandatory repairs, timelines and minimum energy efficiency requirements (EPC band C target for private rentals within a phased timetable, expected 2028).

Establishment Of A National Landlord & Letting Agent Registration And Licensing

All landlords will be required to register on the database prior to renting out their property and this will include providing all compliance documentation (Gas Safety, EICR, EPC etc). Local Authority powers are being enhanced with Sanctions for rogue landlords, including fines, civil penalties and criminal sanctions for severe breaches.

Pet Policy

As of the 1st May all pet requests must be considered and It will be difficult to say no pets, apart from specific reasons (ie: head lease does not permit).

Our Professional Lettings Team Are Here To Help

At McCarthy Holden our Landlords are looked after by real people who live and work locally, with whom you can speak to on the phone so no bots or algorithms to delay or frustrate service delivery. We believe our Landlords experience the difference and benefits.

Our professional team are always available by phone or email, so if you are a Landlord who wants a one to one reliable service, call us on 01252 622550 for a free property valuation and advice about renting property.

Electrical Regulations 2020 for Private Rental Sector

by
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020:

Essential excerpts:

This legislation imposes duties on landlords to have an electrical installation inspection and test, carried out by a qualified person, at least every 5 years. Other duties include:

i) Obtain a report from person conducting the inspection and supply this report to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection/on date of occupation by new tenant/and prospective tenant on request.

ii) The landlord must also supply the local housing authority with a copy of the report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.

iii) The landlord must retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector who will undertake the next inspection.

iv) Where the report identifies remedial work, the landlord must complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified.

v) The landlord must supply written confirmation of the completed remedial works to the tenant and the local housing authority within 28 days.

vi) If the local housing authority finds that landlords are in breach of their duties they may impose a fine up to £30,000.

How to comply:

If we fully manage your property, and your property falls under the first time period requirement, then as part of our ongoing compliance we will be organising this over the coming couple of months. If you wish to arrange your own electrical inspection, please inform us by 22nd of May that this is your intention.

We have been speaking to Pinnacle Electrics who carry out the majority of electrical work for McCarthy Holden managed properties and they have provided us with the following pricing structure to complete the inspection and report to the required standard:

  • Initial charge – (assessing the consumer unit, incoming supply, protective bonding etc)  £118.80 inc vat (£99.00 +vat)
  • Subsequent charge per MCB*  (each Miniature Circuit Breaker requires testing)  £27.60 (£23.00 +vat)

*Please note that in general most properties have between six to eight MCBs

Please see Appendix 1 below for further information

Where Pinnacle Electrics are unable to undertake the works for any reason, we shall endeavour to source a similarly priced electrical contractor who is qualified to carry out such checks in the same way.

COVID-19 implications:

Currently, there has been no alteration to dates expected in the regulations and as such we need to prepare and proceed with the inspections and ensure procedures and precautions are taken by both inspector and tenant.

Pinnacle Electrics have provided us with their Covid-19 policy (please email Danielle Goodyear if you would like to review). The highlights are social distancing will be observed, latex gloves and face masks will be worn from the beginning of the visit and discarded safely at the end, anti-bacterial gel is used before and after gloves. We will also be asking tenants to follow similar steps and to prepare the area to minimise contact on objects from the inspector.

Property management service variances:

If your property is not managed by McCarthy Holden you will still be required to undertake this work and provide us with a copy of the report as soon as completed together with proof of rectification works.

If we currently collect the rent for you, we can also organise for the inspection and report to be carried out so please contact Danielle Goodyear in property management.

Should you have any questions in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Nicky Bremner (MARLA)
Lettings Director
01252 622550

Appendix 1.

Miniature Circuit Board (MCB) in red tested and under subsequent charge

RCD and Main Switch in blue not tested seperately.

×
Find a Property
M
Country & Equestrian
By submitting this form, you agree to McCarthy Holden using your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice.