ABOLISHMENT OF SECTION 21
The Section 21 Notice has been abused over the years, by Landlords who refuse to maintain their properties properly, and when Tenant’s complain about it, they just serve them a S21 notice in retaliation – hence the coining of the phrase, ‘Retaliatory Evictions’. This will put a stop to these Rogue Landlords.
Landlords will still be able to gain possession should you wish to sell or move back into the property – Section 8 Notices (originally prescribed for regaining possession when there are Rent Arrears or other Tenancy breaches) will be extended to allow landlords to serve a notice if they are selling up – they just may be prevented from doing so in the first 12 months of a new Tenant being there, which is not unreasonable.
MOVING TO PERIODIC TENANCIES
The vast majority of tenants renting our properties stay for 3-4 years – not because they are trapped in fixed term contracts, but because we maintain our properties to a high standard and communicate well with the Tenants, therefore they have no reason to leave. Fixed term contracts have become obsolete in recent years, as Tenant Replacements (during a fixed term) are very common place, particularly among sharers and in a very transient environment like London.
RENT INCREASES ONCE PER YEAR
Nothing new here…in fact it will make an annual rent increase a more ‘accepted’ part of the tenancy process. Any Agents/Landlords who have been increasing rent on Tenants more than once a year, should be publicly shamed.
RIGHT TO REQUEST A PET
Landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse, unless of course a Headlease prevents it or there is another valid reason. Ultimately, you are protected by the deposit and pet insurance is becoming commonplace.
NO DISCRIMINATION OF DSS OR CHILDREN
Unless you have been living in a bunker, discrimination of any kind is never tolerated by good Agents and good Landlords, whether it is legislated or not.
BAN ON BIDDING WARS
‘Landlords and Letting Agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property’ – again this is nothing new, this is how proper Regulated Agents have always operated. It will also be made illegal to encourage/facilitate bidding wars – the best Tenant is not always the one who offers the most money, in fact they rarely are.
A quality agent will assess the tenant from all aspects, price is just a one part of that. A high price does not make them a good tenant, guarantee they pay the rent on time and look after the property.
Manage My Property, now based in Battersea Power Station, are ‘Fellows’ of ARLA Propertrymark and ‘considered as one of the most highly qualified residential letting agents in Britain’ having been one of the first agents to pass the coveted Level 4 Certificate, in Residential Lettings and Property Management.
