How To Rent Guide 2023

What is the How to Rent guide?

The How to Rent guide is a digital publication by the government that offers guidance to current and potential renters in England and Wales, covering their duties and rights as tenants, along with the legal obligations of landlords in England. As per the guidelines of the How to Rent guide, landlords in the private rented sector are required to provide their tenants with a copy of this updated guide at the start of their tenancy.

Which version of the How to Rent guide do I need to give to my tenants?

On March 24th, 2023, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government released the up to date version of the How to Rent guide. The primary modifications in the 2023 edition are:

• Identification Service Providers authorized for UK/Irish citizens under the Right to Rent
• Compulsory installation of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in a property containing a combustible gas appliance, except for a gas cooker
• Alterations to the Code of Practice concerning the Right to Rent Civil Penalty Scheme for agents and their landlords.

Can I email a copy of the How to Rent Guide to my tenant?

Yes, you can email a copy of the How to Rent guide to your tenant, as long as they have provided their consent to receive documents via email.

However, it is recommended to also provide a physical copy of the updated guide to ensure that the tenant has access to it and can refer to it easily when needed. You should also keep a record of the date the guide was provided to the tenant, as this is a legal requirement.

What are the legal obligations of landlords for renting in London?

When it comes to renting a property in London, there are certain legal obligations that landlords in the private rented sectormust meet. These include:

• Making sure the property is safe and fits the minimum standards set by law;
• Ensuring that any gas appliances or boilers installed at the house are regularly checked and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer;
• Obtaining all required permissions from the local authority before renting direct the house;
• Providing tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate for the property;
• Ensuring that any deposits taken from tenants are placed in an approved tenancy deposit protection scheme;
• Giving your tenants a valid copy of the How to Rent guide.
• Finally, landlords should ensure that all necessary safety certificates and documents are up-to-date and present in the property at all times. Failure to comply with any of these legal obligations could result in penalties or even prosecution.

What happens if I don’t issue the How to Rent guide?

If you fail to provide your tenant with a copy of 2023 How to Rent guide, it could lead to serious consequences. In accordance with Section 21 Legislation for Landlords in England, you will not be able to use a Section 21 notice to repossess your property if you have not provided the guide to your tenant. This could result in a loss of control over your property.

To avoid any potential issues, it is highly recommended that landlords provide their tenants with the new version of the How to Rent guide at the start of a new tenancy. Additionally, requesting that the tenant sign a release form acknowledging receipt of the updated guide can serve as an added precaution.

While updates to the guide may be released in the future, landlords are not required to provide additional copies of the document during the course of an assured shorthold tenancy.

Do I need to provide my tenant with a new copy if the fixed term ends and rolls into a periodic tenancy?

If the fixed-term tenancy ends and rolls into a periodic tenancy or rolling tenancy, you are not required to provide your tenant with a new copy of the How to Rent guide, as long as they were given the latest version at the start of the fixed-term tenancy.

However, if there have been any significant changes to the guide since the start of the fixed-term tenancy, it may be beneficial to provide your tenant with the latest version. Additionally, if you are renewing the tenancy agreement, it is recommended that you provide your tenant with a copy of the latest guide to ensure compliance.

What are the benefits of the How to Rent Guide to the landlord?

The How to Rent guide is a government-issued guide in the UK that provides tenants with important prescribed informationabout their rights and responsibilities when renting a property. However, the guide can also benefit landlords in several ways:

Compliance:

By providing the How to Rent guide to tenants, landlords can ensure that they are complying with their legal obligations under the law. Landlords in England are required to provide the most up-to-date version of the guide to tenants at the start of each new tenancy.

Reduced risk of disputes:

The guide can help to reduce the risk of disputes between landlords and tenants by ensuring that tenants are aware of their rights and responsibilities from the outset. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and disagreements down the line.

Better communication:

By providing the guide to tenants, landlords can demonstrate that they are committed to open and transparent communication. This can help to build trust and positive relationships between landlords and tenants.

Professionalism:

Providing the How to Rent guide to tenants shows that a landlord takes their responsibilities seriously and is committed to providing a professional service. This can help to attract high-quality tenants who are looking for a reliable and trustworthy landlord.

Overall, the How to Rent guide can benefit landlords by helping them to comply with their legal obligations, reducing the risk of disputes, improving communication, and enhancing their professionalism.

What other documents do landlords need?

It is important to have a signed tenancy agreement from both the landlord and tenant(s) before the tenant moves into the property, regardless of whether it is furnished or unfurnished. Additionally, an inventory should be created and provided to the tenant, as this can help prevent disputes at the end of the tenancy. The landlord should provide the tenant with:

Gas Safety Certificate

A Gas Safety Certificate is a document that confirms that all gas appliances and installations in a rented home have been inspected and meet the required safety standards. Landlords in the UK are legally required to have an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate and provide a copy to tenants before they move in.

A Gas Safety Certificate must be renewed annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, who will carry out a thorough inspection of all gas appliances, pipework, flues, and ventilation systems. This helps to ensure that the property is safe for tenants to live in and reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or gas leaks.

If a landlord fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate, they may face legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Landlords are also required to keep a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate for two years and provide a copy to any new tenants within 28 days of the annual inspection.

In addition to Gas Safety Certificates, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances are regularly serviced and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It is important to note that Gas Safety Certificates only cover gas appliances and installations and do not include other safety aspects of a property, such as electrical or fire safety.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that provides prescribed informationon the energy efficiency of a property. The EPC rates the property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and provides recommendations on how to improve its energy efficiency. Landlords in the UK are legally required to provide an up-to-date EPC to prospective tenants before they move in, which must be conducted by a qualified assessor.

EPCs are valid for ten years and must be renewed after this period. The purpose of an EPC is to inform tenants about the energy efficiency of the property and help them make informed decisions about their living costs. It also provides landlords with an indication of how energy-efficient their property is and suggestions for potential improvements that could save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Failure to provide an EPC can result in financial penalties for landlords. The EPC is also required for any property that is being sold or rented out, and it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that it is available to any prospective tenants.

Electrical Safety Certificate

An Electrical Safety Certificate is a document that confirms that all electrical installations and appliances in a rented home have been inspected and meet the required safety standards. As of June 2020, landlords in the UK are legally required to have an Electrical Safety Certificate and provide a copy to tenants before they move in. The Electrical Safety Certificate must be renewed every five years or earlier if recommended by the inspector.

The Electrical Safety Certificate must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician who will inspect and test the electrical installations and appliances in the property to ensure they are safe to use. The certificate will outline any defects or potential hazards that need to be addressed, and the landlord must take the necessary steps to remedy them.

Landlords who fail to provide an Electrical Safety Certificate can face financial penalties, and failure to comply with the regulations can also impact the landlord’s ability to evict a tenant. It is important to note that Electrical Safety Certificates only cover electrical installations and appliances and do not include other safety aspects of a property, such as gas or fire safety.

Inventory and Schedule of Condition:

An inventory and schedule of condition is a document that lists all the items and their condition in a rental property at the start of the new tenancy. It is usually created by the landlord or their agent and given to the tenant to check and agree upon before they move in.

This document helps to avoid any disputes at the end of the tenancy by providing a clear record of the property’s condition and contents at the start of the tenancy.

The inventory and schedule of condition should include a detailed description of the property and its contents, including any furniture, fixtures, and fittings. It should also include photographic evidence of the condition of the property and its contents, including any damage or wear and tear.

Both the landlord and the tenant should sign the inventory and schedule of conditions to acknowledge that they agree with its contents. This document can be used as evidence if there are any disputes over damages or missing items at the end of the tenancy.

It is important to ensure that the inventory and schedule of condition are comprehensive and accurate, as it can have a significant impact on the landlord’s ability to claim against the tenant’s deposit for damages or missing items.

Deposit Protection Scheme documents:

The Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS) is a government-backed scheme in the UK that helps protect tenants’ deposits and ensures that they are returned fairly at the end of the tenancy. Landlords who take a deposit from their tenants must protect it in an approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receipt.

There are three government-approved deposit protection schemes in the UK: the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits, and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. The landlord must provide the tenant with details of the scheme and how to access the deposit protection certificate.

The deposit protection certificate contains important information, including the amount of the deposit, the address of the rented home, and the name of the scheme where the deposit is protected. This document is essential for both landlords and tenants, as it provides evidence of deposit protection and can be used to resolve any disputes over the return of the deposit at the end of the tenancy.

If the landlord fails to protect the tenant’s deposit in an approved scheme or provide the tenant with the required prescribed information, they may face financial penalties and legal consequences. It is important for landlords to ensure that they comply with the deposit protection regulations to avoid any potential problems at the end of the tenancy.