The government has extended the end date for Covid-19 adjusted right to rent checks until 5 April 2022, which comes as a result of positive feedback about the ability to conduct checks remotely. The government has now started to review the availability of technology to support a system of digital right to rent checks in the future, with the intention of introducing "a new digital solution to include many who are unable to use the Home Office online checking service, including UK and Irish citizens". This will enable checks to continue to be conducted remotely but with enhanced security.

A guest blog by Tara Sparrow, Sales Director of Reapit.

There are an estimated 2.7 million landlords in the Private Rented Sector providing rental accommodation to multiple generations of tenant, a highly vital role in the property market. However, recent years have arguably not been too kind on landlords with landlord confidence hitting record lows under the barrage of regulatory and tax adjustments, as well as the common sentiment that the government simply does not hold their interests at value compared to tenants.

The Lomond Group is proud to announce that it has partnered with Goodlord to streamline lettings processes across the group's brands, which include Braemore, Stonehouse, Linley & Simpson, Dale Eddison, Thornley Groves, John Shepherd, Brand Vaughan and Michael Jones, and protect its landlords with Goodlord's Rent Protection & Legal Expenses Insurance.

Renting a property is a two-way street. You should be able to answer all your tenant’s questions and prepare them for the tenancy process before you send the offer letter. When you show your expertise and willingness to help - plus share with them a free downloadable guide to the whole process - they’ll have more confidence in you, which will help them decide on the property more quickly and cut down on your landlord’s void period.

The topic of rent control crops up time and again when low housing stock paired with strong tenant demand pushes up rent prices, so it's no surprise that rumblings about it being reintroduced in London are getting louder.

Rental yields on student lets are climbing steadily across England according to a new analysis by Goodlord. In good news for landlords, the upcoming university term, which many students hope will provide a welcome return to normality, looks set to bring the student lettings market back into a period of steady growth. 

The Fire Safety Act 2021 became law in April 2021 and clarifies which "parts of multi-occupied residential buildings" apply under the the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) - and therefore who's responsible for maintaining fire safety for these parts. The legislation is expected to come into force by the end of 2021.

The wind down of the UK-wide Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme signals an end to one of the largest financial support schemes for employees, including tenants, set up during the pandemic in Great Britain - but now the lettings industry is asking what's next.

The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing and this article will continue to be updated throughout. For the latest guidelines, please refer to gov.uk.

Notice periods for cases where there are rent arrears of less than four months have reduced to two months in England from 1 August 2021. The notice period for "serious arrears" is four weeks’ notice, with "serious arrears" defined as four or more months of unpaid rent.

Predictions on the future of buy-to-let vary greatly. Some say that the sector is thriving and will continue to grow and expand in line with increasing tenant demand. Others say that the weight of legislation and the associated costs are driving landlords out of the market. So what does this all mean for the future of the industry and how can you encourage your landlords to continue to invest?