The implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act starts on 15 July 2022 and landlords should be mindful that they are obliged to ensure all rental properties are in repair and fit for human habitation.

The Queen’s Speech on 10 May 2022, saw the UK Government announce that it would bring forward legislation to reform the private rented sector in England.

The Regulations state that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms where there is any type of fixed combustion application, such as gas boilers, from the beginning of October 2022.

While hybrid working isn’t a new concept, many businesses may not have considered the impact it could have on their insurance cover. What are the key areas of business insurance that you may need to review now that hybrid working has become more commonplace?

National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), have stated that the use of ‘POA’ or ‘price on application’ in property listings contravenes consumer protection legislation.

The UK Government’s legislative response to the Grenfell tragedy has now received Royal Assent but excludes some leaseholders from the new Building Safety Fund. Ministers had previously promised that leaseholders would be protected from the costs of cladding remediation, but landlords owning multiple properties have been prevented from accessing the fund as they are viewed as being of “significant wealth”.

New notice to quit periods are now effective for landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland as the Private Tenancies Bill received Royal Assent, creating the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.  

The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) seeks views about how the taxation of property income could be simplified and has launched an online survey.

PRS REPORT: Data collected from our members continues to indicate signs of ongoing disparity in supply and demand with tenants remaining in their properties for longer periods of time.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a consultation to test the design of the EBSS, ensure that support is provided as widely as possible in a simple and cost-effective way and that the recovery mechanism is clear and efficient.

HOUSING REPORT: Although agents’ stock is still historically low, more new properties are coming to the market bringing with them new buyers and a lift in sales being agreed.

The UK Government’s ban on charging ground rent on new leases in England and Wales will come into force on 30 June 2022.

Agents have a range of options available to them for selling a property. Choosing the right one can have a huge impact on the price achieved, the satisfaction of buyers and sellers with the process, and the reputation of the agent.

Propertymark conducted a series of roundtable discussions that sought input and evidence to inform our response to the consultation, which proposes fundamental and far-reaching changes to the private rented sector (PRS) in Scotland.

For tenants experiencing increasing financial pressure, rental debt can be a burden, and when things go wrong, debt repayments can further reduce their ability to pay the rent.

Propertymark urges agents to ensure they are aware of the forthcoming changes to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations as they could come into effect as soon as Autumn 2022.