The government has just published new regulations which will affect HMO accommodation occupied by asylum seekers in England. In this article we will look at what these regulations mean.

Consultation Into a New Use Class and Permitted Development Rights for Short Term Lets: What you need to know

The laws that regulate HMOs are complex – and becoming more complex all the time. Here’s a straightforward guide to help landlords understand the HMO rules and regulations more easily.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 Part 1 and no real changes or reviews have taken place since its formation. As part of this extensive review, other interested parties had also been able to have their say including HHSRS Assessors, Environmental Health Officers, Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officers, Other Housing Professionals, Letting Agents, Landlords, and Tenants. The review has now been concluded.

On Friday 17 February 2023 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities unexpectantly opened up a consultation in which it seeks views on the council tax valuation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The consultation covers the scope of the issue, the current landscape for the valuation of HMOs, and the government’s proposals for achieving these objectives.

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.