Update to ‘How to rent guide’ published

The updated ‘How to rent guide’ has been published and includes the latest advice for landlords and tenants on renting a property in England.

The latest guide must be handed to tenants before they move in because failing to do so might invalidate a Section 21 notice.

This is the second update to the guide in the last six months and provides new information on how to access free legal aid services.

Free legal advice to anyone facing possession proceedings

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said: “The How to Rent guide has been updated with advice on how to access free legal aid services, advice and support, regardless of financial circumstances.”

The new service provides free legal advice to anyone facing possession proceedings.

Information on the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) is detailed in the new version. It replaces the Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes (HCPDS), which provides legal advice to tenants at risk of eviction.

Help is available

The HLPAS said: “Help is available from the moment you receive written notice that someone is seeking the possession of your home.

“This might be an email from your landlord or a letter from a creditor. Your financial situation will not affect your right to access this support and you will not need to pay.”

The HLPAS says they can provide legal advice on matters such as: illegal eviction, rent arrears, welfare benefits payments and disrepair and other problems with housing conditions.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive officer, of Propertymark said:“Agents and landlords should now be aware of the updated How to Rent guide and should implement it straight away for any new tenancies to remain complaint with the latest guidelines.

“Where agents and landlords have issued the existing version in advance of the tenancy start date, they should now follow up by issuing the new version of the How to Rent guide, keeping evidence that it has been issued.”

The PDF version of the ‘How to rent guide’ can be downloaded from the.Gov.uk site.