At Belvoir, we like to collate the latest in laws, regulations and updates that are relevant to our landlords and tenants. Since our last update in June – a few more changes have taken place. Please find these details below.
Right to rent has been updated & new guide issued
The government recently made last minute changes to rules surrounding the Right to Rent – something that is already a controversial topic with landlords.
Virtual Right To Rent checks by landlords, which were to have been illegal from two weeks ago, are now permissible until April 5 2022.
Off the back of this, the Home Office has launched a new guide aimed at landlords and tenants that details information on Right To Rent,
The guide contains information about the rules for document checks, examples of acceptable documents and frequently asked questions. There is also information on checking the validity of documents, how and when to retain evidence, and what tenants are expected to do if they do not have standard identity documents.
This is different to the guide for landlords, which was issued at the end of August.
You can read the latest guide here
Airbnb hosting is now standard element of insurance application
Historically, cover for the commercial use of a home has not been included in standard home insurance policies (commercial use covers things such as letting a room or driveway). Because these activities have not traditionally been included in a standard home insurance policy, it meant that any claims for theft would not be covered if the theft was by a guest.
“host insurance” has now been introduced as a standard element of an insurance application and can be added on to your policy to complement your home insurance policy.
GoCompare’s home insurance quotation process now has an option that allows customers to declare whether or not they let their property on a short-term basis- which is a reassuring new development for those that let out their properties for commercial use, such as Airbnb hosts.
So what does it cover?
Host insurance provides cover for guest injuries, property loss, or damage caused by hosting activities.
Some policies even include cover for fires caused by a guest, escape of water caused by a guest, accidental or malicious damage caused by a guest, or third-party property damage caused by guests.
New guidance for landlords: Understanding the possession action process
The government has reviewed its guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rental sectors in England and Wales.
The updated guidance explains the possession action process in the county courts in England.
Updates show the end of the fee waiver for applications to extend warrants of possession which expired as a result of the pandemic.
Notice periods issued to tenants must now be at least two months for most grounds including Section 21 notices, but with exemptions for extreme cases.
You can see the revised guidance here.
How Belvoir can Help
Unsure about any of the latest updates to concern landlords and what they mean? Get in touch
with us – our experts can help give you peace of mind and smooth over anything you are unsure about.
