This is where you will find everything Rental Reform, including any Government updates, blogs, webinars and much more! Read our latest Government update for the most recent information and what this means for agents, landlords and tenants.
One of the biggest topics of conversations of Rental Reform has been the scrapping of Section 21, however in recent discussions this has been put on hold.
Landlords and Renters to Save on Council Tax Bills
The government recently announced that it would stop requiring tenants of shared dwellings to pay hefty council tax bills by banding individual rooms in shared households individually for council tax reasons. The NRLA projects that this change will save landlords and their tenants up to £1,000 annually.
E-Guide – How does a bill become an act of parliament?
RENTERS REFORM BILL UPDATE
The Financial Times have reported that the Renters Reform bill is set to get it’s second reading on Monday 23rd October, after PM Rishi Sunak is said to have given his personal blessing to resume the progress of the bill. We will be keeping you updated throughout the process, so make sure to follow all the news via our Rent Reform Hub for more information.
And take a look at our newly released E-Book that will walk you through the stages this bill will go through on its journey through the parliamentary process!
Is a new tenancy required when a landlord changes hands?
Properties are usually purchased with vacant possession, however in some transactions the buyer will purchase the property with a tenant in situ, especially in the buy-to-let market. In this weeks blog we look at everything the new landlord would need to know if the property is bought with a tenant in situ.
The Renter Reform Bill – the latest updates on progress
It is all we see in the headlines, but what is actually happening with the Renters Reform? This week we are looking at where the journey the bill has been on so far and where it is going next, including the second reading announcement.
New Government How to Rent Guide: What You Need to Know
The How to Rent Guide has been updated several times since its launch. Meanwhile, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have indicated that another new How to Rent guide will be issued in early October 2023.
Further delays at court due to strike action by security staff
Court delays have already caused issues in the market with landlords waiting longer to gain possession of their property. Further delays are now expected as agency staff at over 30 civil courts have taken part in industrial action this month. Make sure to read this weeks blog with a list of courts dealing with possession claims that are likely to be impacted as well as advice for landlords.
The Ministry of Justice has recently published figures for property possessions across both mortgage and rentals. Possession claims have increased across the board. However, thankfully, our Legal Providers – Woodstock – have also seen a decrease in the time it is taking for possession orders to be granted by the courts recently.
Tenants and Signing Tenancy Agreements – Can my tenant owe rent if they did not sign the tenancy agreement?
If you have a tenant who owes you rent arrears, but you discover that the tenancy agreement was not signed by the tenant, what can you do? Are your landlords still entitled to claim the money back? The answer – maybe! There are multiple factors that go into a decision by a judge if this is the case and this week we are here to let you know what options you have.
Abandonment Notice | An alternative to a Possession Order?
There are many ways in which a landlord can obtain possession of their property including an Abandonment Notice. In this blog we look at this method in more detail, explaining what it is and how you can use it alongside implied surrender.
Labour’s Rayner to shadow Gove on the Housing Brief – what can we expect?
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, has been appointed Shadow Levelling Up Secretary by Sir Keir Starmer. With this role, she will oppose the Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP in taking on issues such as the reform of the private rented sector, so in this blog we look at what this could mean.
It is National Dog Day tomorrow – 26th August – which is the perfect time to celebrate our four-legged companions and reflect on what the proposed changes announced in the Rental Reform Bill could mean for dog lovers.
Bills included has become one of the most searched terms from tenants following the cost of living increase, however landlords are moving away from including bills in the Tenancy Agreement. But why? In this weeks blog we look at why landlords are staying away from the idea, and if landlords are including bills the things they need to look out for.
Gaining possession consists of multiple stages but for those who reach the final step, it means it is time to enforce a possession order via a bailiff appointment or high court enforcement officer. But which option is better? In this weeks blog we look at the difference between a bailiff and a high court enforcement officer and what the benefits of each of the services are.
For tenancies where a landlord or letting agent hasn’t opted for a Rent Protection product, then it isn’t unusual for a legal team to be instructed to recover a debt from a tenant who has defaulted on their rent. In this blog we look at why Settlement Agreements shouldn’t be overlooked with an example of a recent case study from Woodstock Legal Services.
Serving Section 8 Notices: How Much Do the Arrears Need to Be?
We look at the three grounds that are typically used to evict a tenant who is in arrears that are served alongside a Section 8. We also discuss how this may change with the proposed Rental Reform.
Pets in Rental Properties: Celebrating International Cat Day
Happy International Cat Day! To celebrate our feline friends, we share our top reasons why renters should have the right to request a pet in their rental property.
Student Let Management Under the Renters Reform Bill
An area of uncertainty amongst the proposals for the Renters (Reform) Bill is the student lets sector. Landlords biggest worry is the proposal to end fixed term tenancies, leaving them uncertain as to when they will get the property back to re-let to the next year of students.
To prevent homelessness and keep the cost of living affordable, rent controls can be used to limit the amount that a landlord can charge. However, that comes with its challenges.
The Deregulation Act 2015: Essential Knowledge for Landlords on Section 21 Evictions
After the Deregulation Act 2015 came into effect, the biggest defence in possession claims has been the key documents not being received. So, this week we talk through what these documents are, what they need to include and how to issue them.
Gaining possession of a property involves several stages and procedures that must be followed. The process can be divided into three main steps: giving notice, court proceedings, and enforcement. It is important for Letting Agents and Landlords to understand what they involve and how long they may take.
The Implications of Periodic Tenancies: Balancing Tenant Security and Landlord Concerns
With Rental Reform planning to move all tenants onto a single system of periodic tenancies, we look at how this will give tenants more flexibility but cause landlords concern.
From Draft to Law: Unveiling the Timeline of the Renters Reform Bill’s Journey to Implementation
The whole industry has been following the Rental Reform bill, trying to understand how to talk to their landlords and tenants about the changes. In this week’s blog we are focusing on the timeline of the bill and our predictions on how it will move forward.
The Government has published the first draft of the Renters Reform Bill which has been much anticipated across the Residential Landlord and Tenant Sector for the past 5 years. The Bill has only just started its Parliamentary journey and it will undoubtedly undergo revision of terms or amendments and additions but where do we stand currently?
Renters’ Reform Bill – Key milestones and what happens next?
Let’s delve into the multi-stage process of the bill, its major milestones, and its potential impact on the rental market and the housing sector as a whole.
Effective use of section 21 notices – whilst we still have them
As we know in the Renters’ Reform, the use of Section 21 has been scrapped. However, while landlords are still able to use them – they need to be as effective as possible. This week we are looking at what documentation is needed and how important it is to ensure it is correct.
The ban of no-fault evictions and renting to tenants on benefits
This week we discuss how landlords feel about the changes proposed in the reform linking to no fault evictions and what this means for tenants moving forward.
Navigating the Legal System: Understanding the Difference Between Section 21 and Section 8 Notices
Step 1 of gaining possession of a property is serving a notice, giving the tenant a chance to leave before action takes place. So, in this weeks blog we look at the difference between a section 21 and section 8 notice and how to serve them to your tenant to avoid any further issues.
The abolition of Section 21 Notices and the introduction of the Renters’ Reform Bill
There has been a lot of conversation around Section 21 and the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill. So how have these conversations changed over the last two years?
It’s currently not unlawful to prohibit a tenant from keeping a pet in their property, but the law may change in favour of tenants with pets. Woodstock discuss how landlords can manage pet-included tenancies.
Changes to the EPC regulations that would change the minimum Energy Efficiency Standards proposed for 2025-8
Energy Performance Certificates can be costly for landlords to obtain. But further changes to regulations could make it even more difficult to meet standards…
What is the Difference Between a Section 8 and a Section 21 Notice?
Both are used to evict tenants so that you regain possession of your property. But there are differences between the two! Woodstock Legal Services explain…
Decent Homes Standard: Are Homes in the Private Rented Sector Meeting it?
In 2020 as high as 15% of the homes in England did not meet the requirements for the Decent Homes Standard. Woodstock discuss the outlines of the standard and explain how landlords can review their portfolios to ensure their properties meet the requirements.
Tenants’ Rights to Keep Pets: Easing Landlords Concern
Pets in Lets is a big topic for the industry at the minute, with the proposals in the white paper “A Fairer Private Rented Sector”. We look at what is going to help landlords and how this can be positive for them.
The Lettings Hub x AdvoCATS Webinar 26/07/2022 @ 09:30
There are a lot of questions around Pets in Lets from Landlords, Tenants and Agents. We want to get the industry together to have our say and find solutions that all parties can get behind.
The Lettings Hub x Woodstock Webinar 29/06/2022 @ 14:00
The Renters Reform Bill has been announced, and by now we all understand what the changes are so the question is what do we do next & what do we need to prepare?
