New Regulations Due in 2020

Landlord minimum energy efficiency standards

These are known as MEES. Relating to landlords who rent properties out.

The introduction of these for new lets and tenancy agreements now comes into force from the 1ST April 2020. If your property is currently rated “F” or “G” you cannot rent your property.

Click here to read our previous article solely on energy performance certificates.

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act

The Act of 2018 came into force last year however there are some changes to it. It requires that landlords ensure that they maintain their property. The tenant can now report any landlord to the local authority.

The local authority has instant powers to require landlords to carry out works. Landlords can either be fined or banned from letting out their property. A change this year is that it also now includes renewals. Our sister company Iinsure 365 have recently written an article outlining Landlord Responsibilities. Please click to read the attached.

Rogue landlord database goes public

A rogue landlord database held by local authorities. This will now go public. It will allow tenants to see any rogue landlords. These are mainly landlords who have not carried out works. They may have had fines.

Electrical installation checks i.e. EICRs and PAT testing now becoming compulsory

The electrical safety standards in a private rental (England) Regulation 2020. Now applies to all new tenancies from the 1st of July 2020 and to existing tenancies from the 1st of April 2021.

All rented properties will need to have an electrical installation report. This must be by a qualified electrician every 5 years. Reports must be served on the tenants within 28 days of inspection. Then retained by the landlord.

Breach of regulations can result in financial penalties of up to £30,000.00. They can also be problematical in respect of the fact that landlords cannot serve a Notice to Quit.

Inspection and tests

Under the new regulation’s landlords need to ensure the following: –

1. Electrical safety standards are met during any period whether residential premises or occupied by a specified tenancy.
2. Every electrical installation is inspected. Tested by a qualified person at regular intervals at least every five years.
3. The first inspection are carried out before a tenancy starts

or by the 1st of April 2021 for existing tenancies.

Distribution and retention of report

Once the inspection has taken place the landlords need to do the following: –

1. Obtain a report from the person who conducted the inspection and test, which gives the results on the next inspection and test.
2. Supply a copy of the report to each of the existing tenants within 28 days of that inspection and test. And acknowledged by signature.
3. Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant. To which the report will apply before the tenant moves in. They must have any prospective tenant within 28 days of requesting.
4. Supply a copy of the report to the local authority within 7 days of receiving a written request for it.
5. Keep a copy of the report until the next inspection and test is due and give a copy of it to the person who is carrying out the next inspection and test.

Investigation of remedial works from the reports

If, after an inspection and test, the report requires further investigation or remedial work to be carried out. Then the landlord must do the following: –

1. Ensure that further investigation or remedial work is carried out by a qualified person.
2. Obtain written confirmation from the qualified person that the further investigation or remedial work.
3. Supply written confirmation. Along with the original report. This must show any required further investigation or the remedial work. It must also show any further investigation or remedial work completed.
4. Supply the written confirmation. This must be together with a copy of the report which required the further investigation. The remedial work must be carried out if not the local authority can insist on this. This must again be done within 28 days.

It is therefore so important that you are fully aware of the requirements. If you are wanting to rent out your property in future, then you will need to do this almost immediately.

Laws that are due to come in but have not yet been put before Parliament

In future there will be additional laws that the Government is considering such as: –

1. Relaxation so that people can have pets at properties.
2. Compulsory redress scheme. A landlord will need to be part of a Redress scheme in future. If they let through a letting agent, then they must be part of a scheme. This is already in place for letting agents. It has not yet come in place for landlords.
3. Scrapping of the Section 21 Notice i.e. you can Notice to quit without having to give a reason. See the article on the renters reform guide here.