Understanding the Tenant Fees Act 2019
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 commences from 1 June 2019 and applies to England only (for the time being as it has the ability to extend to Wales). The Act controls what payments a landlord or letting agent may require “in connection with a tenancy of housing...
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How to Rent Guide Updated for Tenant Fees Ban
Today (1 June 2019) the Tenant Fees Act 2019 commences in England. To coincide with this, the legally required How to rent: the checklist for renting in England has been updated. This How to Rent guide is the prescribed information must be given to all new tenants as...
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Tenant Fee Ban Q&A FAQ for Landlords
A ban on charging tenants fees for arranging a private tenancy starts on June 1 across England. For landlords who need to get up to speed with the new rules, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions: When does the ban start? For new tenancies that start...
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Landlords Given a Say Over Tenant Fee Ban in Wales
The Welsh Government is asking landlords and property professionals for their views about banning tenant fees. The assembly has already voted to start the ban from September 1. But the decision about which fees to ban has yet to be finalised. The government wants help...
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Date Set for Start of Tenant Fee Ban in Wales
The new law banning landlords and letting agents from charging private renters fees to start or renew a tenancy agreement will start in Wales from September 1. Under the rules, landlords and letting agents can only make a limited number of charges to tenants, such as...
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Landlords Ease Impact of Tenant Fee Ban by Raising Rents
Buy to let rents are going up so that landlords can cover letting agent costs when a tenant fee ban starts, claims a property expert. Tenants have seen rents rise at the fastest rate for three years - at an average 3.3% to an average £942 a month in the year to the...
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New Holding Deposit Forms and Templates Added
We have added to the website new forms and templates specifically for the holding deposit provisions of the Tenant Fees Act 2019. The forms are only suitable for use in England at the moment (but a similar ban is on the way to Wales). You can see the procedure for...
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New Section 21 Notice Prescribed Form 6A From June 2019
The Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 amends the Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (England) Regulations 2015 and creates a new prescribed form 6A for when section 21 is being used. The...
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Section 21 Notice Proposed Ban Discussion
We’re just over three weeks after the proposals were announced to ban section 21 notices at some time in the future and it’s time for reflection. This discussion applies to both England and Wales bu some legislation referenced only applies to England at this time....
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New Team Ready to Police Letting Agent Fee Ban
A new property agent task force will crack down on letting agents flouting the upcoming ban on charging tenants fees to rent their homes. The new National Trading Standards scheme will monitor letting and estate agents to make sure they comply with new landlord and...
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Government Announces Removal of Section 21 Notices
Today, the Government announced its intention to abolish section 21 notices which many would argue is the primary reason for the private rented sector to be the popular industry that it has become since being introduced on 15 January 1989. The Welsh Assembly also...
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Landlord Income Tax Grab Enters New Phase
HMRC is set to take another bite out of landlord income tax relief on finance costs with the start of the new financial year. The 2019-20 tax year, which starts from April 6, marks the third stage of phasing income tax relief restrictions down to the basic rate of tax...
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CGT Tax Hike Aims to Raise £100m a Year From Investors
Details of the latest tax hike to hit landlords and other property investors have been revealed by the Treasury. This time, capital gains tax is undergoing a major revamp aimed at raising almost an extra £100 million a year over the next five years. The two CGT tax...
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Letting Fee Ban Set for Wales From Autumn
Landlords and letting agents in Wales face a ban on charging tenants upfront fees as a new law passes the final hurdle. Members of the Welsh Assembly voted in favour of the ban, which is awaiting Royal Assent and is expected to come in to force in the autumn. The ban...
read moreDirect Payment to Landlords and Third Party Deductions – Universal Credit
Direct payment to landlords and third party deductions - universal credit Of particular concern to landlords and letting agents about the welfare reforms is whether direct payment to a landlord will be possible under the new rules. There has been much scaremongering...
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How to Comply With The New Pre-Action Protocol For Debt Claims
The Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims commences on 1 October 2017 for England and Wales. The Protocol applies to any business (including sole traders and public bodies) claiming payment of a debt from an individual (including a sole trader). It therefore applies to...
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Getting Rid Of Tenancy Deposit Problems With The Deregulation Act 2015
As previously reported the Deregulation Bill became the Deregulation Act 2015 on 26 March 2015 and has now been published. Sections 30 - 32 contain the provisions which amend the legislation in relation to tenancy deposits. Prescribed information given by agents...
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How to Understand Which Section 21 Rules Apply From October 2018
From 1 October 2015, big changes were made to section 21 Housing Act 1988 for tenancies in England. Extra requirements were introduced whereby a section 21 notice (two months no fault notice) could not be served unless EPC, gas safety and How to Rent Guide have been...
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New Law Demands Better Living Standards for Tenants
New rules setting raising the bar for living standards in private rented homes in England come into force from March 20 2019. The good news is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 does not introduce any new obligations for landlords but is designed to...
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Landlords to Spend Up to £3,500 Under Energy Rating Rules
Since 1 April 2018, new tenancies, renewals or extensions require the property to have a minimum “E” energy rating. From 1 April 2020, all existing tenancies must comply. If a property does not meet the minimum “E” rating, the property can be registered on an...
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