Welcome to another Landlord Law Newsround which brings you all the latest housing news and more.
Fines increase this week – don’t get caught out
This week saw fines increased to £7000 if landlords do not fix any of 21 listed hazards that are found to be ‘serious’.
These can be anything from damp and mould, fire or electrical hazard, unsafe living conditions. 10% of landlords are thought to have at least one of these health and safety hazards at a serious level.
Councils can now force landlords to carry out repairs, even do emergency works themselves and charge all costs back to the landlord.
The government is also updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) which has not been amended in over twenty years, and the new updates came into force on Tuesday, 23rd June.
This will make things ‘simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action,’ said Housing Secretary Steve Reed.
Note that we are running a training webinar on the new HHSRS rules for Landlord Law members on 8 July.
Landlords’ EPC upgrade works will require funding
Pegasus Insight has now identified that 60% of all landlords have at least one property that is below the EPC C rating, and it will cost £11,713 per property to reach the EPC C by 2030. Landlords are now starting to look at how they are going to fund these improvements rather than if.
Two thirds of landlords are looking to use savings whilst one on four are hoping that the government will provide grants or support, the rest will probably have to borrow or release equity.
Interestingly, 44% of tenants now look at a property’s EPC rating when looking for a rental home.
You can read more here.
Warning Renters Rights Act disadvantages some tenants
There has been a claim that taking rent in advance, which is now banned under the Renters Rights Act, disadvantages some tenants who may fall short in passing the affordability checks.
Allison Thompson of Leaders letting agency states that previously there was no limit on how much rent a landlord could accept in advance to secure a property but now this is not longer an option. This could impact self employed tenants, those on zero hours contracts and those who’s work is not consistent like musicians.
She adds that landlords ‘are more likely to choose a candidate who easily passes all affordability tests’ and that tenants should not over stretch themselves financially.
Are you a landlord in Wales?
Many landlords are approaching the Rent Smart Wales renewal milestone. If so, make sure you renew promptly as otherwise you risk a fine.
You can check your renewal date by logging into your Rent Smart Wales account, where expiry dates are displayed on the dashboard.
Legal warning over high temperatures in rented properties
With the high temperatures comes a warning that excessive heat can be a hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. A property can be considered unsafe if it is dangerously overheated, creating a health risk.
Landlords are not required specifically to install air con, but they do have to ensure that their properties are safe.
So landlords, if you get a complaint from your tenants about excessive heat, you should take it seriously, or you could find yourself being fined up to £7.000.
Snippets
HMO planning refusals soar as councils tighten controls
Tenants want professional landlords – but not corporate ones
Ombudsman supports landlord in rent-to-rent dispute with agency
Landlords face higher tribunal costs as rent rise appeals become free
Ministers consider fresh crackdown on short-term lets
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week
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