How to Rent guide updated by MHCLG
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has today (10/12/2020) updated the How to Rent guide: Click here to download.
The statutory requirement is for a tenant to be provided with the version of the guide current at the time of the new tenancy and failure to serve the most up to date guide invalidates any future Section 21 action. A statutory periodic tenancy is also considered a new tenancy so an updated copy must be served after the fixed term before you can issue a Section 21.
The previous update of the How to Rent guide was sneaked out on the 7th August 2019.
The guide can be served as a hard copy or with the consent of the tenant emailed as a PDF.
“This guide is for tenants and landlords in the private rented sector to help them understand their rights and responsibilities. It provides a checklist and more detailed information on each stage of the process, including:
- what to look out for before renting
- living in a rented home
- what happens at the end of a tenancy
- what to do if things go wrong”
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
Covid-19 will redraw the UK rental map
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1580 - Articles: 16
9:27 PM, 11th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 10/12/2020 – 23:07
Allow me to simplify,
Landlords MUST comply with Hundreds of ever-increasing regulation and legislation with eye-watering penalties and consequences.
Tenants SHOULD pay their rent with virtually no effective ( and certainly not timely ) remedy for the Tax-paying Landlord, vilified by Tenant support groups and Government alike.
Hope that’s cleared up the Must and Should.
Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 1103 - Articles: 1
9:46 PM, 11th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 11/12/2020 – 14:40
I suggest that you read both documents.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 6
7:57 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
could someone please advice me on this ,The usual prescribed information was served by the agent to the tennet, in 2013, however the right to rent guide did not come into force until 1st October 2015 , as far as i know rent guide has not been given to the tennet by the agent, would I still be liable responsible to make sure that Rent guide should be given even though it did not come in force till 2015? my common senses tells me regardless i should make sure the tennet has a copy of the rent guide. please advice, thanks
Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 1103 - Articles: 1
9:16 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Richard at 12/12/2020 – 07:57The guide only needs to be provided if the tenancy started or was renewed on
or after the 1st of October 2015 so if it was already a periodic tenancy and has continued as such since before that date as far as I can see you do not need to provide a copy to the tenant.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 145
10:44 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Gunga Din at 10/12/2020 – 12:17
Why is the issue date shown at the bottom of page 2 and not on the 1st page or the back page as most publications would show?
Is this so that more landlords will miss it and fall foul of serving the correct version by mistake? (To quote David Price “Another Gotya”)
Why do they only put December2020 and not the ACTUAL revision date which is 10-12-20?
Is this so that more landlords will miss it and fall foul of serving the correct version by mistake? (To quote David Price “Another Gotya”)
Call me cynical if you want but this is net result, perhaps the NRLA should raise this as a formal complaint with the appropriate department.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 145
10:53 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 10/12/2020 – 17:35
Hi David,
Why do you get a WET signature ie ink? surely an email off them to say that they are happy to be contacted via email is satisfactory.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 222
10:57 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jim S at 12/12/2020 – 10:44
I agree. Its either a deliberate trap or administrative incompetence.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 1056
11:03 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 11/12/2020 – 06:20
Perhaps the electrical certification was prompted by the television programmes showing the most appalling Heath-Robinson wiring set-ups in real rogue landlord places usually housing hordes of immigrants which almost certainly have caused harm to tenants. Of course the Fitness for Human Habitation laws already covers such situations. However, we were told at a landlords’ association meeting that there had never been a single case of Legionella in a domestic property so that is another case of landlord legislation with no evidence of need.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 6
11:14 AM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 12/12/2020 – 09:16
Thank you
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2208 - Articles: 2
12:03 PM, 12th December 2020, About 5 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jim S at 12/12/2020 – 10:53
Most of my tenants do not have email, some cannot read or write, all think they have paid more rent than their statements show.