Our last Newsround for October, and it has been quite a momentous week.
First, we have had Awabbs Law coming into force for all social landlords.
However, I suspect most readers will be more concerned about the Renters’ Rights Bill, which has finally received Royal Assent and is now the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
We have some free FAQ here which have answers to most of the common questions which get asked (such as when will it come into force).
But let’s see what else has been in the news this week.
Repairs most common cause for disputes
A new survey out this week by Percy Hughes & Roberts Solicitors claims that repairs are the main cause of disputes between tenants and landlords. Out of 559 surveyed 60% raised repairs as the highest reason for disputes with 76% blaming the landlord for being at fault.
Furthermore:-
- 13% of disputes were resolved through mediation
- 6% resolved at court
- 29% resolved by the tenant leaving
- 26% resolved by tenant and landlord negotiation
Lynne Swanson of the solicitors said
The data hides the emotional cost to tenants and the financial risk for Landlords, by not complying with or addressing repair issues.
Councils to gain access without notice
Now that the Renters Rights Act is to be law it will give councils the power to enter rental properties without prior notice or warrants where there is suspected to be serious breaches. These breaches can be anything from letting a property where there is suspicion that they are not on the new landlord database.
Council housing officers do not need to give prior notice to the landlord and landlord does not need to present, but they can inform the landlord that they will be visiting the property. They can also take photos and make recordings within the property without the permission of the landlord.
Phil Turtle at Landlord Licensing & Defence said
A council can still inspect a property even if the tenant and landlord refuse to give permission. Councils have more power than the police to enter your home.
Landlords and tenants can also be fined if the obstruct an inspection.
Belongings left by tenants increase costs for landlords
When tenants leave their belongings behind when they leave a property it costs on average a landlord £258 to either dispose of them or store them. It has cost some landlords as much as £5000.
A Direct Line survey claims that 53% of landlords inevitably find that they are left with personal belongings at the end of a tenancy, and 35% find that this leads to a delay in letting to new tenants. 30% of landlords have stored belongings whilst they wait for the tenant to either claim it or dispose of it. 34% of landlords claim that they have had tenants come back for abandoned belongings after they have already disposed of them.
This situation is often not accounted for by landlords and can cause additional costs and delays in re-letting their property. Jonny McHugh, Head of landlord Business Insurance at Direct Line said
Clear communication and robust tenancy agreements are essential to safeguard both landlords and tenants. It’s important to ensure tenancy agreements clearly outline the procedures for handling abandoned belongings.
29% of landlords think that they can do whatever they like with property left by their tenant. Whereas in fact they are under a duty to look after it, albeit for a limited time. The relevant legislation is the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 in England and the Renting Homes (Safeguarding Property in Abandoned Dwellings) (Wales) Regulations 2022 in Wales.
We have guidance on the proper procedures on Landlord Law for our members (along with standard letters).
Highest ever fees for new licensing scheme
As more and more councils announce new licensing schemes we hear this week that Westminster Council is to expand its selective licensing scheme with a whopping £995 licence fee and only one month for landlords to secure it.
The fee is 42% higher than the national average of £700. It will be split into a £543 non refundable up front application fee and a further £452 once it is approved. The scheme will cover all private rented sector properties where they claim that 43% of their private rental sector properties have had serious hazards. HMO’s are already covered by a mandatory and additional licensing scheme.
Landlords cannot afford to not comply or forget with fines of up to £30,000.00, Westminster Council have a very good track record of being hot on enforcement.
Snippets
Local Housing Allowance crisis to get much worse
Sound familiar? Weird items tenants leave behind revealed
Campaigning group turns focus to rent controls after eviction reform success
Private rent in Britain now swallows 33% of the average wage
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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