Trip the Light Fantastic
On the 20th March 2019 the long waited Fitness for Human Habitation Bill comes into law, shining a new spotlight on conditions in tenanted properties. As most agents will know, the Bill leans heavily on the Human Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and the 29 hazards it lists to illuminate what makes a property fit or unfit to live in – one of which is lighting.
So what do Letting Agents actually do for their Landlords?
The spotlight is well and truly on the Private Rented Sector; discussions in abundance about the value of a Letting Agent towards their consumers. We are very well aware of the struggle that so many experience when trying to find a place to live, and more so a home that is fit for purpose. Yet, given the continuous introduction lion of Legislation, we felt an overview of what Letting Agents are dealing with on a daily basis would be interesting.
What Next as the Tenant Fee Act 2019 receives Royal Assent?
Here we are, just two years and two months after Philip Hammond announced fees charged to tenants by landlords and letting agents would be banned. We have read and commented on the content of the Draft Legislation, given opinion on the pros and cons, suggested alternatives and after Christmas recess, we were given a date - 1st June 2019
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – 20th March 2019 – FAQs
The Act revives a clause in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, requiring all rented homes to be ‘fit for human habitation’ at the start of the tenancy and throughout the duration of the tenancy. We have all been used to the LTA 1985 – Section 11 – as it’s the go to piece of legislation for Property Managers.