The lettings industry is heading into its busiest period of the year. This means it's important to make sure you’re not wasting your agency’s time or money on applicants your referencing provider would advise against. 

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020. The new regulations will apply to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. Landlords must have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is “qualified and competent”, at least every five years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested. Breaches of the regulations could result in financial penalties of up to £30,000.

This article was originally published on 1 June 2020. Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please ensure you refer to gov.uk for the latest advice and information.

The transition period for the Tenant Fees Act ends on 31 May 2020, which means that from 1 June 2020, all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), student accommodation, and licences to occupy housing (including HMOs) in England will be subject to this legislation, regardless of when the tenancy agreement was originally entered into. This means that, from 1 June 2020,  any payment term in a tenancy agreement that’s prohibited by the Tenant Fees Act - even one that was entered into before 1st June 2019 - will not be binding.

This article was originally published on 8 April 2020. Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please ensure you refer to gov.uk for the latest advice and information.

The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations first came into effect on 1 April 2018 and apply to most domestic private rented properties from 1 April 2020. The regulations are designed to tackle the least energy-efficient properties - those rated F or G on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - by establishing a minimum standard of EPC band E for domestic private rented properties in England and Wales. 

This article was last updated on 1 June 2020. Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please ensure you refer to gov.uk for the latest advice and information.

The government is making changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. From 1 July 2020, businesses can bring back furloughed employees on a part-time basis. From August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the will be slowly tapered. That means that for June and July the government will continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries. In the following months, businesses will be asked to contribute a "modest share" of their employees' wages. The scheme will close to new entrants on 30 June, with the last three-week furloughs before that point commencing on 10 June.

This article was updated on 30 March 2020. Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please ensure you refer to gov.uk for the latest advice and information.

All non-essential premises must now be shut following guidance from the government on business and premises closures.  Further guidance on managing house moves during the pandemic reaffirmed that "agents should not open branches to the public during this period, or visit people’s homes to carry out market appraisals" and that "agents should ensure that employees can work from home, to support existing clients and advise potential new clients." The measures, which came into force on 23 March 2020 to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), will be reviewed three weeks from this date. 

This article was originally published on 25 March 2020. Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please ensure you refer to gov.uk for the latest advice and information.

Simon Roberts, Senior Associate - Solicitor Legal Advice - with DAS Law, part of the DAS UK Group, joined Goodlord for our Coronavirus and lettings webinar on 17 March. He answered questions about the legal implications for letting agents and landlords of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 applies to almost all tenancies from 20 March 2020. The Act, which amended the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985,  applies to both private and social rented housing, and requires all landlords to ensure that their rental properties, including common areas, are fit for human habitation at the beginning of the tenancy and throughout.