Hidden How to Rent update – “MHCLG, do not do this again”
Lawyer Giles Peaker, in an article for Nearly Legal, ‘How to rent guides – sneak updates‘ uncovered that the official How to Rent guide has recently been updated twice since the 31st of May without reference to the date of the most recent changes.
Giles said: “This really should not happen. While the changes are relatively minor tweaks, they are changes nonetheless.
“And as the statutory requirement is for the tenant to be provided with the version of the guide current at the time, silent changes obviously present problems. How many landlords and agents will be using the original 31 May version without knowing it has since been changed?
“While I would imagine a court would give a certain leeway in the circumstances, should it be raised, this is not an issue that should have arisen in the first place. Please MHCLG, do not do this again.”
The changes include:
- 03/06/19 Change of reference and link page 5 from “NALS” to “Safeagent” .
- 29/07/19, Change on page 4 from “If you don’t have a guarantor, you can ask Shelter for help.” to “ask Shelter for advice.”
Click here to download the most recent How to Rent Guide.
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Right to Rent Guide updated under RLA pressureNext Article
BMS increase exposure limits to 5 properties
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222
11:16 AM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Yes it is underhand, unhelpful and a cynic would perhaps infer that its another deliberate trap, and I’ve been caught out myself. Surely the safe solution is not to download HTR or print it off until the day of the tenancy commencement.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 49
11:22 AM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
11:27 AM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
This is getting bl@@dy ridiculous now.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
11:35 AM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Just been on the Government website and yes the latest guide to download is still showing as May 2019.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 977 - Articles: 1
11:55 AM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
I think I will send that latest version to all my tenants electronically.
Member Since April 2014 - Comments: 985 - Articles: 2
6:45 PM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Always. always download as late as possible from the Gov’t website!
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
8:41 PM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris Harris at 06/08/2019 – 11:22
If you look at No Shelters’ web site, they refer Tenants seeking Guarantors to their Local Authority, who don’t provide anymore help than Shelter. !
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222
11:01 PM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
I’m sure thats what most of us thought. However by coincidence I’ve been told just today that Hartlepool B. C. will stump up deposits. My agent has processed a few.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
11:30 PM, 6th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gunga Din at 06/08/2019 – 23:01
Quite a number of L.A’s have been providing Deposits for some years. Some, actual Cash deposits from their Discretionary Housing Fund, other Councils have been trying it on with Landlords by offering them ‘Paper-Bonds’ ( basically a letter promising to pay ! ( Yeah, right, an L.A’s promise – not worth paper its written on )
I have Not heard as yet, of a L.A. actually standing as Guarantor, as that could run into several months rent, and damages ( as landlords know only to well. )
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
12:04 AM, 7th August 2019, About 7 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 06/08/2019 – 18:45But in this instance it is a different matter than just an update. This is two separate alterations both without being reflected in the changelog nor the issue/edition date being changed. The only reason I can think for this is because they felt embarrassed to have a 31st May 2019 release, a 03rd June 2019 release *and* a 27th July 2019 release. If anything -even just a single comma- is changed, a new date should be added and it declared a whole new edition. No exceptions. Incompetence of the very highest order!
If anyone, for any reason, I’m the future needs to refer to May 2019’s H2R Guide, they wouldn’t know (not have anyway of telling) there were three variations of this document.
It’s a complete farce and should be abandoned, at least from s.21/Dereg. requirements with immediate effect.