{"id":6032922,"date":"2020-09-14T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.buyassociation.co.uk\/?p=6032922"},"modified":"2020-09-14T09:30:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T08:30:58","slug":"the-law-has-changed-what-landlords-and-tenants-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.buyassociationgroup.com\/en-au\/2020\/09\/14\/the-law-has-changed-what-landlords-and-tenants-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The law has changed: what landlords and tenants need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

The government has set out a new level of legal protection for both tenants and landlords in the rental market. Here’s how the changes could affect you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A number of rule changes have now come into force which will impact thousands of renters and buy-to-let landlords across the country. The legislation aims to help those in the private rented sector<\/a> who are affected, either directly or indirectly, by the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says the move marks an “unprecedented measure to help keep people in their homes over the winter months”. He also reassures landlords<\/a> that they will “have access to justice” too in the event of rogue tenants.<\/p>\n

New rules protecting tenants<\/h4>\n

Landlords must now give tenants six months’ notice to evict them from their properties. This change, which was announced at the end of August<\/a>, has now been solidified by emergency legislation.<\/p>\n

The extended notice period will be in effect until at least the end of March 2021. It means tenants will be able to stay in their homes over winter. The government’s “winter truce” also means evictions due to take place in local lockdown areas won’t be enforced by bailiffs. The only exception to this will be in serious cases involving antisocial behaviour or domestic abuse.<\/p>\n

A \u00a3180m funding package is also now available for local authorities to support vulnerable renters. This will contribute towards ‘Discretionary Housing Payments’ which councils can distribute to help renters with housing costs.<\/p>\n

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says: “We have protected renters during the pandemic by banning evictions for six months \u2013 the longest eviction ban in the UK.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“To further support renters we have increased notice periods to six months, an unprecedented measure to help keep people in their homes over the winter months.”<\/p>\n

Are landlords protected too?<\/h4>\n

The government is often heavily criticised within the PRS for a lack of protection for landlords. Since March, landlords have not been able to access courts to regain possession of their properties. This includes cases where tenants have broken the law, have serious rent arrears<\/a> or antisocial behaviour issues.<\/p>\n

Now, the government says it would like to “thank landlords for their forbearance during this difficult time”. In its announcement, the Housing Department has also explained how it will help landlords in difficulty.<\/p>\n

The courts will reopen from 21st September to hear possession cases. Cases will be subject to new court processes and proceedings, including:<\/p>\n