Updated ‘How to Rent’ guide launched next month

Updated ‘How to Rent’ guide launched next month

11:02 AM, 15th September 2023, About 7 months ago 4

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An updated version of the ‘How to Rent’ guide will be published next month with details of the new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service.

The move follows March’s update which saw various updates, including the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fixed fuel-burning appliances.

The newest version will focus on revising sections 15 and 17, to cover the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service.

The new service has replaced the Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes (HCPDS) and offers tenants access to legal advice if they face the imminent risk of losing their homes.

Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service will give legal support to cover a wide range of issues, including repossession claims, rent arrears, welfare benefits payment problems, debt concerns, as well as issues related to disrepair and dealing with poor housing conditions.

This new service marks a substantial improvement over its predecessor, HCPDS, which only helped on the day of the court hearing.

As a result, tenants now have greater access to legal support when dealing with housing-related matters so they can be proactive and utilise the legal expertise at their disposal.

The latest version of the ‘How to Rent’ guide

Landlords and letting agents need to take note of this development because they are required by law to give tenants the latest version of the ‘How to Rent’ guide at the beginning of a new tenancy or renewal, including statutory periodic tenancies.

Failure to do so could have significant repercussions for landlords since the guide forms an integral part of the ‘prescribed information’ that landlords must provide to their tenants.

If landlords neglect to provide this essential information, they risk forfeiting their right to repossess the property under Section 21.


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Comments

Dylan Morris

12:56 PM, 15th September 2023, About 7 months ago

Am I right in thinking if a tenancy has come to the end of the fixed term and gone statutory periodic the new guide must be issued ? But if the tenancy according to the AST is a contractural periodic tenancy the updated guide does not have to be issued ?

TheMaluka

13:13 PM, 15th September 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 15/09/2023 - 12:56
I believe you are correct as a contractual periodic tenancy is a continuation of the original tenancy whereas a Statutory periodic is a new tenancy. The nuances of the legal system!

Teessider

19:23 PM, 15th September 2023, About 7 months ago

I’ve never known a tenant read the contract never mind the How to Rent guide.

I guess landlords know that the government also publishes a ‘How to Let’ guide.

Keeps Civil Servants employed, I guess.

Miserable Old Git

12:03 PM, 16th September 2023, About 7 months ago

Yet more pointless administration, another waste of my ink and paper, good job they are tax deductible at the moment.

A cynical view would be its another way of trying to catch landlords out, as if you fail to give the new version to the tenant a section 21 notice will be invalid, when you give them a copy, make sure the tenants sign to say they have received it.

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