Boris Johnson’s resignation has drawn speculation around its impact on the Renters’ Reform Bill and how this may affect the bill’s implementation dates. It’s currently set to be introduced in the 2022/2023 parliamentary session, and you can read our last newsletter for a detailed breakdown of the proposals.
We’ll of course keep you up to date on any developments or changes to the bill’s timelines. Other areas of lettings legislation continue to advance, with guidance published for the changing rules around carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in rental properties and material information in property listings – plus the new energy price cap is expected to be announced on 26 August.
New guidance for carbon monoxide and smoke alarm rules for rented properties in England
New smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations will come into force on 1 October 2022 in England, and the government has published guidance to support these changes.
From 1 October in England, landlords will need to:
- Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on every storey where there’s a room used as living accommodation – already a legal requirement in the private sector, but now extended to the social housing sector too
- Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room classed as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance – excluding gas cookers
- Repair or replace any faulty smoke or carbon monoxide alarms if a tenant informs the landlord or agent that there’s an issue
Landlords are also advised to consider these regulations alongside other relevant safety laws, such as the Housing Act 2004, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
New Part A material information guidance published
The government has published new guidance for Part A of the three-phase process for improving material information in property listings. Under these rules, property listings need to include details of:
- The rental amount: The rent for the property should be listed as a numerical amount with the time period that it relates to, e.g. per calendar month. If rent is paid monthly, the equivalent weekly rental amount can be shown for information purposes. However, it must be made clear in the listing whether or not the rent can be paid weekly.
- The council tax band: If the rent includes council tax, this information should be included in the listing, and the council tax band doesn’t need to be displayed separately.
- The holding and security deposits: You must comply with any specific legal requirements in the devolved nations for the deposit amount, and the deposit details should also reflect the nature of the occupancy – whether per person or per room, for example.
Energy price cap increase amount to be confirmed on 26 August
Ofgem has previously estimated that the next energy price cap in October will increase annual household energy costs by £800, to £2,800 on average. However, Cornwall Insights has predicted that it could in fact leap to £3,244 a year, bearing in mind the impact of the “global political and economic uncertainty” on the energy market. The price cap increase will be announced on 26 August, giving your tenants a month to prepare for how this may affect their finances.
All the best,
The Revive Property Sales and Lettings Limited team
Boris Johnson’s resignation has drawn speculation around its impact on the Renters’ Reform Bill and how this may affect the bill’s implementation dates. It’s currently set to be introduced in the 2022/2023 parliamentary session, and you can read our last newsletter for a detailed breakdown of the proposals.
We’ll of course keep you up to date on any developments or changes to the bill’s timelines. Other areas of lettings legislation continue to advance, with guidance published for the changing rules around carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in rental properties and material information in property listings – plus the new energy price cap is expected to be announced on 26 August.
New guidance for carbon monoxide and smoke alarm rules for rented properties in England
New smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations will come into force on 1 October 2022 in England, and the government has published guidance to support these changes.
From 1 October in England, landlords will need to:
- Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on every storey where there’s a room used as living accommodation – already a legal requirement in the private sector, but now extended to the social housing sector too
- Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room classed as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance – excluding gas cookers
- Repair or replace any faulty smoke or carbon monoxide alarms if a tenant informs the landlord or agent that there’s an issue
Landlords are also advised to consider these regulations alongside other relevant safety laws, such as the Housing Act 2004, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022.
New Part A material information guidance published
The government has published new guidance for Part A of the three-phase process for improving material information in property listings. Under these rules, property listings need to include details of:
- The rental amount: The rent for the property should be listed as a numerical amount with the time period that it relates to, e.g. per calendar month. If rent is paid monthly, the equivalent weekly rental amount can be shown for information purposes. However, it must be made clear in the listing whether or not the rent can be paid weekly.
- The council tax band: If the rent includes council tax, this information should be included in the listing, and the council tax band doesn’t need to be displayed separately.
- The holding and security deposits: You must comply with any specific legal requirements in the devolved nations for the deposit amount, and the deposit details should also reflect the nature of the occupancy – whether per person or per room, for example.
Energy price cap increase amount to be confirmed on 26 August
Ofgem has previously estimated that the next energy price cap in October will increase annual household energy costs by £800, to £2,800 on average. However, Cornwall Insights has predicted that it could in fact leap to £3,244 a year, bearing in mind the impact of the “global political and economic uncertainty” on the energy market. The price cap increase will be announced on 26 August, giving your tenants a month to prepare for how this may affect their finances.
All the best,
The Revive Property Sales and Lettings Limited team
All information posted on this website is merely for information purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information on this website, you do so at your own risk