In the last couple of years Government Budgets and Annual Statements have introduced a series of legislation changes and issues that will affect our Landlord customers. We feel that there are several matters that will come into force in the next 12 to 24 months that we need you to be made aware of and this series of short emails are designed to make sure you a fully aware of how the industry and you as property owners will be affected.
Changes to the Section 21 Notice come into force at the start of October requiring all Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), regardless of their start date, to comply with guidelines as to when and how a landlord can serve a Section 21 Notice, which enables them to terminate a tenancy agreement.
When issuing a Section 21 Notice, landlords and agents will now be required to use Form 6A. The form, prescribed by Government, combines the two previous types of Notices1 into a single Notice for both periodic and fixed-term tenancies. Therefore, landlords and agents should stop using their existing Notices with effect from 1st October.
In addition, under the Deregulation Act 2015, landlords and agents wishing to issue their tenants with a Section 21 Notice should ensure they have shared the appropriate documents and informed tenants which scheme their deposit is protected in and where the property is licensed, provide a copy of the licence to all of the tenants. In getting this wrong, Landlords run the risk of voiding any Notice to Quit and struggling to take back possession of the property.
Roberts are able to help their Landlords ending residential tenancies by taking control of and dealing with the issues surrounding the changes to the Section 21 Notices, and what it means in practice.
Now the changes have come into effect, it’s important agents effective Section 21 Notices are executed when necessary.
We Can Help
Private landlords, like yourself, play an important role in the rental market and it is important that we pay attention to the challenges they sometimes face. If any of the above have got you thinking, then pop into our Charminster office or call Nigel Goddard on 01202 565758and we’d be pleased to help you to let and manage your properties.