Another week and another Newsround, let’s see what the team has found in the news this week.
New EPC rules impact landlords
Changes that have now come into force in the way EPC’s are calculated and the more detailed data needed for the calculations will undoubted cost landlords more as the cost of an EPC is thought to rise as they will take longer to complete.
Assessors will have to take more precise measurements and input much more specific data as the new Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) is now in force. What is more disconcerting is that these new standards may cause a property do fall to a lower EPC rating level.
Experts such as Anna Moore of Domna a retrofit company says
The model changes how electric heating systems are scored, intended to solve the problem of people installing heat pumps and then seeing their EPC go down. The new model also lowers the ‘default assumptions’ on carbon emissions in traditionally heated homes, so many properties will see their EPC drop.
This is not good news for landlords, despite the government stating that these new rules will allow people to get a better idea on how energy efficient a property is. And as we read here activists are also putting pressure onto the government to protect tenants from rent increases directly attributed to any work their landlord has carried out to improve energy efficiency of their home.
Making Tax Digital comes with little support
From April 2026 Making Tax Digital which is a digital record keeping system approved by the government, will become mandatory for all landlords earning £50,000 annually. They will need to input quarterly income and expenses along with a final declaration at the end of January instead of the annual tax return.
But finance firm RIFT state that HMRC are not giving enough support now to those that need it and contacting them is even harder. Records show that in Q2 this year searches for Making Tax Digital surged to 43,648 per month.
A spokesman for RIFT said
HMRC simply isn’t equipped to facilitate the surge in demand for its guidance and advice ahead of such a notable change and it’s clear that many are having to seek their own answers via the internet.
Renters’ Rights Bill could have a detrimental impact for some tenants
With the Renters Rights Bill now imminent letting agent, Leaders Roman Group have said that the new bills restriction of only taking one month’s rent in advance could really impact those tenants who are vulnerable along with overseas people or those who are self employed. Often having the ability to pay several months’ rent in advance is a practical solution that can increase the tenant’s prospects when applying for a property.
Stats show that 57% of tenants have difficulties trying to secure a rental property and 41% of landlords are willing to accept tenants who otherwise may not pass the referencing checks if they can pay several months’ rent in advance. Allison Thompson of the letting agent said
Capping advance rent could have the opposite effect to what’s intended, making the system less fair for those who already face barriers. Negotiated advance payments, used with safeguards, are a bridge into housing, not a loophole.
Without this option, some tenants will be at a disadvantage.
Council hails licensing scheme a success one year on
Peterborough Council launched their selective licensing scheme last March and are crediting that with significant improvements to their private rental sector properties. The scheme has over 40% of private rented properties and each licensed property has two inspections during the five year license period.
The council has inspected over 1500 properties in the past year and issued more than 6,500 safety hazards with 49% of the properties having a hazard one (most serious).
Each landlord is given a report after each inspection detailing any hazards identified and what is required to rectify them. They also issue automated reminders for gas certificates and EPC’s. This, they claim, has lead to a high proportion of safety improvements in thousands of homes.
Following the success of this scheme, they are now considering a city wide scheme for smaller HMO’s.
Snippets
LEGAL update: Consumer protection laws – what landlords need to know
Bolton brings in harsher planning rules after HMO increase ‘concerns’
Jailed! Con-artist fake landlord behind £200,000 rent swindle
Big seaside city reveals radical plans to restrict holiday lets
Named and shamed – landlords on HMRC Deliberate Tax Defaulter list
‘Grenfell was caused by corporate greed’: report calls for far stronger penalties over unsafe cladding
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week