As a landlord, it’s important to stay up to date with the changes brought about by the Renters’ Rights Bill. This new legislation makes some key changes that affect how properties are marketed, rented, and managed, impacting landlords, tenants, and agents alike. Understanding these updates is crucial for ensuring compliance and making the rental process smoother for everyone involved.
Marketing & Pre-commencement Considerations
When advertising a property, one of the first things landlords need to know is that the rent must now be clearly listed in all ads. This is a non-negotiable rule – landlords can’t charge more than the rent advertised, which provides tenants with more transparency and prevents unexpected rent hikes.
Regarding pets, landlords can still advertise a “no pets” policy, but they can’t automatically reject a request from a current tenant to have a pet unless it’s unreasonable. For agents, this means there will likely be more conversations and negotiations about pets during a tenancy.
The Bill also addresses discrimination. Landlords can’t discriminate against tenants based on whether they have children (living with or visiting) or whether they receive benefits. However, landlords can still consider things like overcrowding and affordability when choosing tenants. As agents, it’s important to make sure we don’t inadvertently support discriminatory practices when working with both landlords and tenants.
Initial Requirements for Landlords
There are a few new steps landlords need to take under the new law. They must provide tenants with a written statement of the tenancy terms and ensure they’re registered on the Property Registration Scheme (PRS), along with paying the applicable fee. Landlords must also join a redress scheme, offering tenants a fair way to resolve any disputes.
As agents, it’s our responsibility to help landlords navigate these new requirements. If they’re not familiar with these processes, we need to be ready to offer guidance and help them get registered.
Tenancy Agreements Under the New Act
A major change in the Renters’ Rights Bill is that all tenancies are now “assured tenancies” with no fixed end date. This means that once a tenant moves in, they have the right to stay as long as they want, as long as they follow the terms of the agreement, or the landlord
decides to end the tenancy. For agents, this means we’ll need to be extra careful when creating tenancy agreements, particularly when it comes to clauses about early termination.
Additionally, rent must now be paid monthly, and landlords can no longer ask for rent in advance. For landlords used to collecting a few months’ rent upfront, this will be an adjustment, but it’s designed to improve tenant security and affordability.
Rent Increases & Tenant Protection
Another key area to be aware of is rent increases. Under the new rules, a landlord can only raise the rent once a year and must follow a specific process. This includes giving tenants at least two months’ notice before the increase takes effect through a Section 13 notice. The increase must align with market rates, and tenants have the right to challenge the increase through a Tribunal if they disagree.
This is a big win for tenant protection, but it also means agents need to help landlords understand when and how they can legally raise the rent. If a tenant challenges the increase, the Tribunal’s decision is final and could either reduce or delay the rent hike.
Pets & Additional Charges
Pets remain an important issue. While landlords can still have a “no pets” policy, they can’t unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to have a pet if they’re already living in the property. Additionally, landlords can now charge tenants for pet-related insurance policies. This might mean more negotiating and paperwork for agents, especially if pet policies become a part of the tenancy agreement. It’s crucial for agents to ensure that these terms are fair, clear, and legally compliant.
Conclusion: The Role of the Agent
The Renters’ Rights Bill brings some important changes that make our role as agents even more vital. As we guide landlords and tenants through these updates, we need to ensure both sides understand their rights and responsibilities. Our job is to find the balance between supporting landlords and protecting tenants, so that tenancies run smoothly and both parties have positive experiences.
Staying on top of these changes is just the start. We must continue to keep ourselves informed of any future legislative updates and provide proactive advice to ensure everything remains compliant. By fully understanding these new rules, agents can continue to be trusted partners to both landlords and tenants in this ever-changing rental market.
