Updated plans on high-rise safety designed to reassure lenders
There is a confirmed route to remediation for all buildings over 11 metres in Wales, with ten major UK developers already lined up to complete fire safety works. Alongside new cladding valuation guidance expected from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), these plans demonstrate to valuers and lenders that essential work can be carried out at no cost to leaseholders.
Maintaining fit properties through the winter months
A rental property is provided as a home for tenants and must be fit for human habitation (FFHH) throughout the tenancy. As the weather changes, it’s vital for agents to stay on top of property maintenance and make sure issues are put right for their tenants as soon as possible.
Bill to tackle unsafe cladding published
The Scottish Government has published the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill, which gives it new powers to assess and remediate buildings with dangerous cladding. Their aim is to address the risk to life which is created or made worse by external cladding systems and to reduce the subsequent issues with buying, selling and re-mortgaging properties which have been affected.
RAAC: what private sector agents need to know
School closures made headlines over the summer of 2023, but these are not the only buildings that could be affected by structural issues because of old or badly maintained materials. Property agents need to understand key facts relating to domestic and commercial buildings, especially those who deal with leaseholds.
Safety regulations give agents much-needed clarity
Mandatory requirements for fire, smoke and CO2 alarms in private rented properties are intended to come into effect in Northern Ireland in January 2024. However, the requirement for inspection and testing of the property’s electrical hard-wired installation every five years does not yet have a confirmed implementation date.
Combatting bed bugs in rental properties
Concern amongst landlords and property managers has risen and the need to identify effective strategies to combat these elusive intruders has increased.
Businesses and multi-residence buildings must now comply with updated fire safety laws
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 took effect on 1 October 2023, which means that all businesses in England must document their fire risk assessments and fire safety arrangements. The revised legislation also requires that in residential buildings housing two or more domestic premises, residents must receive information about fire risks and the fire safety measures put in place for their protection.
Northern Ireland to extend fire safety measures to buildings under 18 meters
The Department of Finance is seeking views on amendments to the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, including new requirements for fire suppression systems and the duty to share fire safety information for buildings over 11 meters.
Eradicating vermin in a rented property
The responsibility for eradicating vermin in a rented property is usually with the landlord, although it can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the cause of the vermin infestation.
Energy efficiency deadlines scrapped for landlords and homeowners
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that no legislation will be introduced requiring property owners to make energy efficiency improvements, but extra money will be available to those who want to replace their gas boiler with a heat pump.
Views sought on next phases of the Private Tenancies Act
Two consultations are open for responses from stakeholders with the aim of making sure regulations under Section 8 and Section 10 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 provide a sound legislative framework and that the guidance given is clear, complete and easy to follow.
New fire safety guidance for buildings in Wales
The Welsh Government has released new guidance explaining responsibilities for fire safety in buildings, ahead of the new Fire Safety Order coming into force on 1 October 2023.
Landlords and agents can access greater levels of funding to improve the accessibility of private rented sector property
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC), has announced a £50 million fund to help older and disabled people in England, make adaptations to enable them to continue to live independently in their own homes.
Outcomes of review into housing health and safety set the stage for new regulations
A policy paper published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) describes the long-anticipated outcomes of a review of the Housing Heath and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) - which has been in place in its current form since 2006 - and sets out the next steps for changes to be introduced in line with the Decent Homes Standard.
Damp and mould warnings in the spotlight as DLUHC issues new guidance
In response to a report from the Coroner following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, consolidated guidance for property professionals has been published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), including unlimited fines for those who do not comply.
Propertymark renews support for gas safety campaign
Gas Safety Week, 11-17 September 2023, is the annual awareness campaign that highlights gas safety and the importance of taking care of gas appliances. It is coordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.