Another Friday, another Newsround. What do we have for you?
So when do the Electricity Regulations start then?
These are the new regulations which provide for properties to be inspected by a ‘qualified and competent’ person at least every five years. They are discussed in our post here (which I have just updated).
After a certain amount of confusion with the government re-issuing guidance, and a lot of chasing up by the NRLA, it seems as if the situation has been clarified.
- The Regulations apply to tenancies granted from 1 June 2020
- The requirement to provide an EICR or similar applies from 1 July 2020
- This means that any tenancies granted from 1 June 2020 will be required to have an EICR or similar from 1 July 2020 – meaning that there is a grace period of one month for tenancies granted from 1 June 2020.
So, as usual, landlords who come within the new rules now are left with a minuscule amount of time to comply – if you are not already compliant. The only saving grace is that many local authorities will not have the staff or resources to pursue non-compliant landlords (although don’t count on it).
It would be nice if the government could, for once, bring out a new regulation without a flurry of confusion and landlords being left not knowing where they stand until a few days before the rules come into force.
So far as renewals are concerned, prior to April 2021, tenancies renewing as a statutory periodic tenancy will need to be compliant but those renewing as a contractual periodic tenancy will not (until April 2020).
So you need to check your tenancy agreement. Landlord Law tenancy agreements, by the way, provide for contractual periodic tenancies.
Generation Rent has a new director
This is Life Peer Alicia Kennedy who has now resigned the Labour whip so she can focus on her work for Generation Rent.
Baroness Kennedy has been the Labour Parties head of field operations for two general elections, she worked as adviser to Ed Milliband when he was party leader and joined the Lords in 2013.
She will be working with the Generation Rent team to help secure the abolition of section 21 and generally giving a strong voice to tenants, saying
This Coronavirus pandemic, and the particular challenges it has posed for tenants, has shown how much we need a strong national voice to campaign for the interests of private renters. That’s why I am so pleased to be joining Generation Rent at this vital time.
It’s our job to give private renters a platform to share their experiences and to unite to tackle the common problems so many face. Working together we can achieve positive change in policy and practice and deliver stronger rights for tenants. I can’t wait to get stuck in
We wish her all the best.
Looking after the homeless
It looks as if the government is not going to abandon the homeless people they have rehoused during the pandemic as announcements have been made about further funding. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen.
The government has also today released a policy paper on protected rough sleepers and renters (which I have not had time to read) which you will find here.
What is wrong with women?
This is the title of a piece in Property Industry Eye which bemoans the fact that although women generally perform better than men, very few are in top positions in letting and estate agencies.
My comment on this (as a woman running her own business) is that people instinctively tend to promote ‘people like them’. It’s the same with BAME employees. This does not mean that they are bad people or that there is a conspiracy to exclude women or BAME people. It’s just the way it is.
So the best way forward is to start your own business and do things your way. Its (on the whole) much more fun too.
Snippets
- Deposit disputes decline across most English regions during lockdown
- Build 100,000 ‘homes for Covid-19 heroes’, say UK council leaders
- Landlords owed more than £4m of rent during coronavirus crunch
- Be fair to student tenants, urges government as its shifts position
- CBIL scheme loans may have serious ramifications for businesses
- Digital platform claims to dramatically reduce completion times
Newsround will be back next week
