This week is the twelfth annual gas safety check and an awareness campaign has been set up by the Gas Safety Register and so this is a great opportunity to remind landlords and agents of their gas safety obligations. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outline the duties of a landlord to make sure all gas appliances, fittings, chimneys, and flues are safe and working efficiently. If you’re letting a property with gas appliances installed, you’ve got three main legal responsibilities.

A review of the regulations in 2018 found that the existing regulations for the private sector had “a positive impact on the number of alarms installed” and suggested the regulations should be expanded to cover both the private and social rented sectors. The new regulations amend the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, to extend some of the rules currently in place, and ensure that they also apply to social housing providers.

From 1 October 2022, landlords and agents will need to revert to return of face-to-face checks (which will still be permitted where someone shows eligible identification as a UK and Irish citizen) or be signed up to one of the service providers certified by the UK Government as a digital identity service provider.

On 2nd September 2022, the Government announced the launch of their consultation on the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard in the Private Rented Sector. The Government welcomes views and feedback on the proposals and questions contained within the consultation.

A Fire Risk Assessment should be the cornerstone of your fire safety plans for your specific building. In this article we will break down the law and the facts surrounding fire safety in rented properties so you can be sure that you are up to code and keeping your tenants — and yourself — safe.

The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties, but now new proposals look to move the bar for what those acceptable levels will be. With nothing yet confirmed, and timeframes looking pretty generous, there’s nothing to panic about. But it’s worth getting to grips with what might be coming early.

In the government’s continued commitment to encourage improvements within Private Sector Housing and support Local Authorities in conducting well targeted and effective enforcement that drives out rogue landlords, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has allocated up to £100,000 to explore the merits of a national landlord register.

If you’re a Landlord who privately owns and manages your rented properties you will be subject to property licensing regulations. These rules will determine and dictate some of the duties you are required to uphold, as well as potentially restrict what you are able to do with your property. It may all seem a little confusing at first, so let us break it down for you.

If you’re a Landlord or involved in the housing industry, it won’t be long before you come across the initialism HHSRS. But what does it mean, and what exactly is the point of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System?

We’re all familiar with the concept of a witness statement, but what are the ins and outs of exactly what one is for and how do they work? Here we provide you with a comprehensive explanation of what a witness statement is and what they are for.

We’ve all heard the words uttered by arresting police officers on TV, but if you’re being cautioned by the Council for housing violations then you could very well be in hot water. PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence) interviews are not something to be taken lightly. Here are some important things to know if you’re asked to attend a PACE interview.

Elmbridge Borough Council have really dropped the ball on a significantly public case of Housing Association negligence, and yet it still seems that they aren’t holding their hands up to it.