The Importance of Water
As the UK continues to experience severe heatwaves, access to a safe, consistent water supply has become very important.
Access to clean, running water is a given not only for drinking but also for regulating body temperature, food preparation and sanitation. It is something we take for granted.
Tenants, especially those who are elderly, disabled, or medically vulnerable, are particularly reliant on water supply.
Landlord Obligations
Several pieces of legislation impose statutory responsibilities on landlords to ensure proper water supply in residential premises:
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to keep in good repair installations for the supply of water, sanitation, and heating. This duty applies throughout the duration of the tenancy.
Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), under the Housing Act 2004, failures in water supply systems or sanitary facilities is considered a Category 1 Hazard. Local authorities may serve improvement notices or take enforcement action if a property poses a health risk to the tenant.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, makes it unlawful for a Landlord to let a property that is unfit for habitation, which includes failure to maintain an adequate water supply during occupancy.
Final Stage - House of Lords propose further amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill
During the Lords Committee stage in May 2025, Lords tabled and debated a comprehensive set of amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill. Before the Bill goes moves to Report Stage and the 3rd Reading in the House of Lords on the 1st July 2025, further proposals have been put forward to seek to preserve existing protections where they work well, fill in perceived gaps, and ensure the Bill is fit for purpose. Set out below is a summary of the most recent proposed amendments, The Marshalled List for Report includes the following and a lot more:-
1. Rent-Arrears Thresholds
Possession MAY still be sought after eight weeks’ arrears in weekly or fortnightly tenancies and two months’ arrears in monthly tenancies, rejecting longer grace periods.
2 . Proposed Additional Grounds for Possession
Ground 8A (Carer Ground) – permits possession where the dwelling is required to house a carer for the Landlord or a close family member.
National Landlord Investment Show
Excited to announce that I'll be speaking at the National Landlord Investment Show in London, Old Billingsgate on 9th July 2025! I'll be a panellist on the 'Renters' Rights Bill: Brace for Impact' panel session in the Auditorium between 10:15 and 11:15. If you're a landlord, property professional or new investor, don't miss this opportunity. Learn more and register for your free show ticket here: www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/9-july-london
The Renters’ Rights Bill - Why preparing for change is key to Minimising Risk
I have been decidedly quiet on LinkedIn for the last 4 or 5 days to reflect and take stock of what is happening in the PRS, and to be honest, rest my eyes from all the reading I have been doing over the last 7 months – well more if we factor in the Bill from the previous government.
Research, reading, analysing, interpreting, formatting courses, drafting questions, drafting answers, writing blogs, attending legal seminars & courses, speaking at events, delivering webinars & courses are all part of the remit and require planning. The last time my colleagues and I encountered this volume of work was with the introduction of the Housing Act 2004. I had just embarked on my career in the PRS and sat back whilst my colleagues and barrister / mentor / friend / oracle did the heavy lifting.