Property Wire have published an article by Partner, Michael Ellis, about the ever-increasing burden on residential landlords.
In the past decade, residential landlords of assured shorthold tenancies have faced an escalating series of legislative pressures. From pre-2007's minimal regulations, landlords now navigate a sea of regulations including mandatory registration of deposits in a tenancy deposit scheme, compliance with the Deregulation Act 2015, and the Tenant Fees Act 2019. These rules, while enhancing living standards and tenant protection, have inadvertently burdened many landlords.
Added to this, court system inefficiencies and delays exacerbate the situation, with possession cases taking longer than ever. Procedural oversights by landlords, such as neglecting to provide an Energy Performance Certificate or gas safety certificate before serving a section 21 notice, can lead to costly restarts of the entire process.
The proposed Renters Reform Bill, currently under consideration in Parliament, threatens to further complicate matters by abolishing section 21, restricting landlords' ability to regain possession unless specific grounds apply. Despite these challenges, it's crucial to remember that these legislations aim to raise housing standards and protect tenant rights.
Read the full article here.
