Landlords across the UK face fines of up to £7,000 for each property they own if they fail to send a crucial document to their tenants by the end of May. The deadline, set for May 31, applies to the official information sheet detailing the new Renters’ Rights Act, which came into effect on May 1. Local councils are empowered to issue the penalties for non-compliance.
What Landlords Must Do
The document, available from GOV.UK, explains the key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act and how they affect tenancy agreements. Responsibility for sending the letter falls on either the landlord or their letting agent, depending on the management arrangement. If a letting agent fully manages the tenancy, they are typically responsible, but the landlord ultimately bears the fine if the document is not dispatched on time.
Key Changes Under the Renters’ Rights Act
The most significant reform is the ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Landlords can still evict tenants for valid reasons, such as selling the property or rent arrears, but must now provide at least four months’ notice. Fixed-term tenancies have been abolished; all tenancies are now rolling, meaning they have no set end date. Tenants who were mid-way through a fixed term will have seen their contracts automatically convert to rolling agreements.
Tenants must give two months’ notice when they wish to vacate, an increase from the previous one-month notice for rolling contracts. Landlords are required to provide two months’ notice for rent increases, which can only occur once per year. This must be done via a Section 13 notice, and increases must reflect market rates. Tenants can challenge unfair rises at a tribunal.
- Rent in advance: Landlords can no longer demand more than one month’s rent upfront. Rent cannot be requested or accepted before the tenancy agreement is signed.
- Rent bidding banned: Properties must be let at the advertised rent, ending bidding wars.
- Pets: Landlords must consider pet requests and can only refuse with a valid reason.
Failure to comply with the document deadline could result in significant financial penalties, making it imperative for landlords and agents to act promptly.
