Welcome to another weekly Landlord Law Newsround. The team has been busy this week but let’s see what they have spotted in the news this week.
Pet refusal to be challenged in court prior to Ombudsman
The government has admitted that they have not carried out a full impact assessment on tenants challenging a pet refusal prior to the Ombudsman being coming into force which is not until Phase 2 of the Renters Rights Act from late 2026.
When challenged on what mechanism will be in force for tenants to use prior to this date, Matthew Pennycook, the Housing Minister said
Prior to the establishment of the new service, if a tenant believes their landlord has unreasonably refused a request to keep a pet, they will be able to challenge the decision in court.
Under the Renters Rights Act landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse a tenants request for a pet.
Landlords to enforce stringent tenant selection process
A new survey out this week from Paragon claims that 69% of landlords will be carrying out a much tougher selection process when choosing new tenants once the Renters Right Act is in force, and 70% of landlords will be more choosey on where they advertise their properties.
Here are some more stats from the survey:-
- 43% of landlords are concerned about having problematic tenants with rent arrears
- 39% of landlords feel that the number of mandatory grounds for possession are not enough
- 35% of landlords expect the new Act to affect them financially
- 53% of landlords will consider a rent increase with 37% reviewing rents more frequently
- 18% of landlords will look at cost saving methods such as frequency of maintenance
This survey demonstrates how landlords are ‘adapting their approach accordingly’ says Lisa Steele, Mortgage Lending Director of Paragon Bank.
Rise in landlord fines for completing wrong forms
Landlords need to be extra vigilant when completing council licence application forms as it can cost you dearly. There has been a rise in the number of fines to landlords for simply filling out the wrong form or ticked the wrong box.
Landlord Licensing & Defence said that this is a ‘disturbing and unlawful enforcement tactic’ some landlords have been fined for completing the additional licensing form instead of the mandatory one. The council can then reject this application thus removing the landlords statutory protection of having made an application under the Housing Act 2004, but then then can issue a civil penalty fine for having an unlicensed HMO.
Advice from Landlord Licensing & Defence say that a landlord should check directly with each council or seek professional help when prior to and when submitting their application.
Government releases new guidance for tenants
The government has released new guidance for tenants ahead of the Renters Rights Act on rent repayment orders and on the court eviction process within the new Act.
The new guidance published on the 7th April advises tenants how they can check if their landlord has committed an offence by checking if they are on their councils licensing register or contacting the their council directly and asking a number of questions listed in the guidance. It also details what their evidence should include and any written communications they have had with their landlord or letting agent.
The guidance also advises landlords that in order to argue their case the First Tier Tribunal ‘needs to be satisfied that the landlord has a valid reason for not meeting the legal requirement’.
You can read the Rent Repayment Orders Offences: guidance for tenants here.
Snippets
Tenants drum up support for more selective landlord licensing schemes
Furnished holiday lets and VAT:the hidden rules catching landlords out
Landlords evicting tenants before law to prevent practice comes into force in England
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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