Date Published 03 October 2023
New How To Rent Guide: The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have issued a new How To Rent guide.
But what does this mean for landlords?
We break it down to give you the key points to take away:
Obligation for Private Landlords: Private landlords are required to provide tenants with the latest version of the How To Rent guide at the beginning of a new tenancy and upon renewal if there have been updates to the guide. Failure to do so may result in landlords losing the right to repossess using Section 21.
Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS): The HLPAS has been introduced to replace the Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes. This service offers free early legal advice to individuals who are at risk of losing their homes or facing possession proceedings. The advice covers housing, debt, and welfare benefits issues.
In-Court Duty: The HLPAS provides on-the-day emergency advice and advocacy for individuals facing possession proceedings. This assistance is available from the moment a landlord or lender issues a notice to repossess and is non-means and non-merits tested.
Legal Aid: The Legal Aid Agency is expanding its court duty scheme work to include early legal advice on housing, welfare benefits, and debt. This assistance is available to individuals regardless of their financial circumstances.
Government's Statement: The government emphasizes that the HLPAS allows anyone at risk of losing their home or facing possession proceedings to access free legal advice and representation in court, without consideration of their financial situation.
Landlords and tenants should take note of these changes and ensure legal compliance with the new guide requirements to avoid any potential legal issues.
If you have any questions, even if you aren't a landlord of ours, please do get in touch, we are fully qualified to give advice and would be delighted to assist you.
