How to Rent guide updated yet again!

How to Rent guide updated yet again!

5:15 AM, 11th July 2018, About 7 years ago 20

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The recently updated ‘How to Rent’ guide has been updated yet again!

The 9th of July 2018 edition now replaces the 10th of June 2018 edition.

Click Here to download the full document which must be provided by landlords and agents to all new tenants.

It seems the main change was the subtitle, which should be ‘The checklist for renting in England’ (as it always was), but was tinkered with…except “The How to Rent Guide: A checklist for renting in England” is written into legislation…so the title at very least cannot be altered.

They are such useless idiots.

Luke

Editors Notes:

“This information is frequently updated. Landlords cannot use the Section 21 (no fault) eviction procedure unless an up-to-date version of this guide has been provided to the tenant.”

The above actually means the correct version of the guide at the time the tenancy was taken out not that you constantly have to keep sending updated guides to your tenants. Although there has been some debate as to whether this is best practice anyway.

The 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

The booklet also confirms the following:

The landlord must provide you with

  • A copy of this guide “How to rent: the checklist for renting in England” as a printed copy or, if you agree, via email as a PDF attachment.
  • A gas safety certificate. The landlord must provide one each year, if there is a gas installation.
  • Deposit paperwork. If you have provided a deposit, the landlord must protect it in a government approved scheme. Make sure you get the official information from the scheme, and that you understand how to get your money back at the end of the tenancy. Keep this information safe as you will need it later.
  • The Energy Performance Certificate. This will affect your energy bills and the landlord must provide one (except for Houses in Multiple Occupation).

If your landlord doesn’t provide these, they can’t evict you until they do.

The landlord should provide you with:

A record of any electrical inspections. All appliances must be safe and checks every 5 years are recommended.

The landlord must:

  • Maintain the structure and exterior of the property.
  • Fit smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms using solid fuels – such as coal and wood – and make sure they are working at the start of your tenancy. If they are not there, ask your landlord to install them.
  • Deal with any problems with the water, electricity and gas supply.
  • Maintain any appliances and furniture they have supplied.
  • Carry out most repairs. If something is not working, report it to the landlord (or their agent) as soon as you can.
  • Arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe engineer (where there are any gas appliances).
  • Give at least 24 hours notice of visits for things like repairs – the landlord cannot walk in whenever they like.
  • Get a licence for the property, if it is a licensable property.”

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Comments

Chris @ Possession Friend

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8:53 AM, 11th July 2018, About 7 years ago

and.... its still not correct !
Checkout Nearly Legal's post for details " How to Rent Guide - a bit of a snafu "
( MHCLG latest publication, - of how NOT to produce a How to rent Guide - Latest version 6th of July [ but again updated on 9th of July -] Honestly, you couldn't make it up )

AA

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10:00 AM, 11th July 2018, About 7 years ago

You could make it up - but nobody would believe you 😊

Ian Narbeth

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17:16 PM, 11th July 2018, About 7 years ago

The safe course is to send the tenant a copy of the latest version of the How to Rent bumf before serving a s21 notice.

Michael Barnes

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0:20 AM, 12th July 2018, About 7 years ago

I suggest that everyone write to their MP explaining the serious consequences this screw-up by a government department can have for landlords and calling for the muppets and minister responsible to be held to account.

Neil Patterson

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8:46 AM, 14th July 2018, About 7 years ago

Hi Ian,

Sorry link restored and here it is >> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent

Luke P

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9:31 AM, 14th July 2018, About 7 years ago

It’s a non-exhaustive changelog. They’re bloody rubbish!

Michael Barnes

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10:55 AM, 14th July 2018, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 14/07/2018 - 09:31
Oh, come on.
They.re not that good.

Rob Crawford

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15:31 PM, 16th July 2018, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 11/07/2018 - 17:16
? the latest edition must be served at the "start" of the tenancy!

Pixie Props

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17:08 PM, 16th July 2018, About 7 years ago

So after recently standing in front of the Printer squirting the worlds resources through the jets, I now find it has been updated. Oh well bad timing on my behalf so will start again.

It seemed like a good idea while doing my 15 page GDPR/Consent stuff to include the new version.

What a truly awful design the latest version is. They have stripped out all flair and presentation of this publication and if they are to regularly update it, it would be polite to add an imprint so that every one can tell which version they have.

Chris @ Possession Friend

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20:58 PM, 16th July 2018, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Pixie Props at 16/07/2018 - 17:08
Damn, - did MHCLG ever have any flare ? I must go back over and re-read all their publications 😉

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