Landlord information zone
Private rented sector updates
Possession rules updated
From 1 October 2021, all notice periods will return to their pre-pandemic lengths with the notice templates for Section 21 form 6a and Section 8 all being updated to reflect these changes. The Government has also updated their guidance on the possession process: Understanding the possession action process: guidance for landlords and tenants
Electrical Safety checks
Private Landlords must ensure every electrical installation in their residential premises is inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years by a qualified and competent person.
These Regulations apply to all tenancies from 1 April 2021
Breathing Space regulations
A new scheme being brought in this spring will ban banks and landlords from chasing tenants for unpaid debts, by offering them a period of time to try to find a solution to their financial problems.
Right to Rent: What landlords need to know
View a tenant's right to rent in England
What landlords need to know about 'No DSS' adverts
'No DSS' letting bans 'ruled unlawful' by court
Tenant fees Act
From 1st June 2020, ALL fees were banned, no matter when the Tenancy Agreement was signed unless they are 'permitted' fees.
- Tenant Fees Act FAQs
- Tenant Fees Act 2019: Guidance for landlords and agents
- Deposit Cap calculator
Fitness for Human Habitation Act
This Act came into force on the 20 March 2019. It is designed to ensure that all rented accommodation is fit for human habitation and to strengthen tenants’ means of redress against the minority of landlords who do not fulfil their legal obligations to keep their properties safe.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by the MEES Regulations if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.
Settled status for EU citizen families
As you may already be aware, if EU citizens wish to stay in the UK beyond 31 December 2020 (when the transition period ends) they and their close family members will need to apply for the UK Government’s EU settlement scheme.
Gas safety
Amended gas safety rules, surrounding annual gas safety checks came come into force from 6th April 2018.
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) regulations
From 1 October 2018 the criteria for a licensable HMO changed to remove the three-storey requirement. This means that any property, regardless of the number of storeys, that is let to 5 or more people, in two or more households, who also share some amenities such as bathroom/kitchen facilities, will require a HMO licence from the local authority.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council will be able to accept licence applications for both Nuneaton and Bedworth and North Warwickshire based properties.
If you have a property that you believe may require a licence, or require clarification on whether your property falls within the new licensing criteria please contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 02476 376406.
Tax information for landlords
General data protection regulation (GDPR)
Data protection has changed dramatically with the introduction of the GDPR, and the housing sector needs to be aware of the implications.
Landlords and letting agents who handle and process personal data from tenants will need to understand their new responsibilities under the regulation.
Below are some links to further information on GDPR:
Information Commissioners Office (ICO)
How to Comply with GDPR – A landlord Guide
NRLA - Reminder from the ICO for landlords
Rogue landlord database
The rogue landlord database records landlords and agents that are subject to a banning order or have committed a banning order offence.
Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, a local housing authority must make an entry on the database where a landlord or property agent has received a banning order. They have the discretion to make entries where a landlord or property agent has been convicted of a banning order offence or has received two or more civil penalties within a 12-month period.
Its purpose is to support local authorities in enforcement action and prevent ‘rogues' from moving operations between local authority areas to circumvent the law. Local authorities are responsible for adding entries to the database and have a duty to include anyone who has been given a banning order.
Only local authorities can make entries to the database and can see who is listed on the current rogue landlord database. This is used for example to check before we provided funding for clients to secure accommodation.
Last updated Thursday, 3rd August 2023
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