HOW TO RENT GUIDE

Mar 16 | 2023
    WHAT IS THE HOW TO RENT GUIDE? The How to Rent guide is a free government PDF document that provides information about privately renting in England. The guide details the rights and responsibilities of a tenant, as well as the legal obligations of landlords. When does a landlord need to provide a How to Rent Guide to their tenant? Every landlord must ensure their tenant receives a copy of the How to Rent guide and it is important that the most up-to-date version is provided. This should be provided at the commencement of the tenancy. If a new fixed term tenancy is entered into, or if a fixed term has lapsed and the agreement has subsequently continued by virtue of a statutory periodic tenancy, the landlord must re-serve the How to Rent guide if an updated version has been published. An updated How to Rent guide is set to be published by the Government on the 17th March 2023. If you are a landlord or agent who has served a How to Rent guide in advance of a tenancy starting after this date, it is recommended that the updated version is served after before the commencement of the tenancy. This will ensure that the most up-to-date version has been provided. What is updated in the new guide? The guide has not been updated since December 2020. The latest version of the guide has been updated to include a requirement for carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted in every room with a fixed fuel burning appliance and a requirement that Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) must be provided to tenants. It also contains information on fitting smart meters and there is a section in the guide on ensuring the property is suitable if you have a disability. What are the implications for non-compliance? If a landlord or agent does not provide the correct How to Rent guide to a tenant, it will render any no-fault notice invalid until the correct versions of the guide are provided. To prevent the prospect of unnecessary and costly legal battles when beginning the possession process, it is strongly recommended that landlords ensure the correct How to Rent guide is provided to tenants. Here at NewBold Solicitors, we support and advise both landlords and tenants. If you seek advice regarding your situation, please contact the housing team at 01446 789359 and we can outline how you can be compliant and avoid any claims.  

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