Another week and another Newsround, let’s see what has been in the news this week.
Welsh landlords must prepare for new law change
From 1 June 2026 landlords in Wales will not be able to discriminate against tenants who have children or are in receipt of benefits.
They must update their standard occupation contract accordingly and serve notice on existing tenants by 14 June 2026.
Failure to do this will entitle existing tenants to claim up to 2 months’ worth of rent as compensation (which they can offset against their rent).
Tim Thomas of Propertymark said
These changes may create additional administrative pressures for landlords and agents, particularly given the requirement to update existing occupation contracts or issue statements of variation within relatively short timescales.
It is also thought that Wales are considering ending the ‘no fault’ eviction and rental bidding wars.
Note that we have guidance for landlords on the contract update and notice over on the Landlord Law News Blog.
Landlords favour vaping over smoking
New stats out this week from Northerner claim that landlords prefer to rent to vapers rather than smokers, with landlords stating that they get fewer incidents with vapers than smokers.
Landlords react more harshly to issues arising from smoking breaches (39%) compared to vaping breaches (30%). Smoking costs a landlord £107 per property compared to £102 for vaping costs such as cleaning and deodorising. However, some landlords have reported that smoking can cost as much as £500 in repairs.
Landlords are advised to have clear guidelines for tenants when it comes to smoking in a property.
Immediate fines for landlords from councils
Landlords must be proactive in managing their properties now that councils have more powers. They, we have been told, will fine with no warning or issuing of an advisory notice, and as penalties can be as high as £40,000 for serious breaches and can in some circumstances issue more than one fine.
Landlords should not underestimate their obligations and should try to stay compliant at all times.
Although Local Authorities are obliged to send landlords a Notice of Intent before issuing a civil penalty notice, the time available to landlords to obtain guidance is limited.
Phil Turtle of Landlord Licensing & Defence said
Do not wait until you receive a notice. Understand your obligations now, get your compliance records in order, and know who to call before you need them.
Landlords warned to act now for EPC upgrades
Now that the dust is settling on the Renters Rights Act, landlords are being warned to act sooner rather than later on EPC upgrade work well before the EPC C deadline of 2030.
The Mortgage Works claims that only 33% of landlords have a solid knowledge of what it will cost to upgrade their properties and 63% have no idea what the cost would be to get their properties up to an EPC C.
33.8% of rental properties are still under EPC C and the company is advising landlords to start preparaing and planning now as lead times can be long for upgrade work such as windows and damp work.
Acting now can also help with better availability and pricing.
Mike Donaldson, managing director said
A full upgrade can meaningfully improve an EPC rating, eliminate the condensation that leads to damp and mould, and reduce a tenant’s bills. For landlords, that’s one conversation that solves three problems at once.
Landlords also need to have Awaab’s Law on their radar. This is due to come into force in 2027 for the private rental sector. It will require landlords to fix damp and mould issues within specific legal timescales.
Snippets
Business-like landlords flourish in post-reform PRS
Council and court case ends with landlords fined just £369
One to one sessions for landlords to pay licensing fee
Andy Burnham: rogue landlords should be ‘three strikes and out’
Record numbers of UK renters crowdfunding to cover bills
What tenants want most in their home – and what they will pay more for
See also our Quick News Updates on Landlord Law
Newsround will be back again next week. In the meantime – enjoy the Bank Holiday! It looks as if, for once, we will have good weather.
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