It seems that with every new year comes more legislation for landlords! As letting agents we know how important it is to keep up to date with the ever changing landscape of rules and regulations that landlords need to know and follow.
We have put together a list a short list of changes that have been proposed so far for 2022 to help landlords prepare and navigate their way through new legislation.
February 2022: Energy Price Cap increase to be announced The government will announce in February 2022 how much the energy price cap will increase by. That increase will take effect on 1 April 2022, where energy bills will rise accordingly. Landlords, you should be aware of these dates to ensure that you’re prepared and that you understand how this might impact on your tenant.
1 April 2022: Covid-19 adjusted Right to Rent checks The current temporary measures which allow Right to Rent checks over video call and to share photocopies or photographs of documents rather than the originals are expected to come to an end in April 2022. The government has advised that it is looking at ways to create a digital system for Right to Rent in the future.
Expected in 2022:
Confirmation of increasing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (England and Wales) Although an increase to minimum energy efficiency standards is awaiting government feedback from the consultation stage, it’s expected that, from April 2025, all new tenancies for private rented properties will require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above, an increase from the current requirement of a band E rating. Landlords might consider planning ahead and phasing in any improvements to their property that might be required to meet an EPC rating of C or above, over the next 3 years.
Renters’ Reform Bill White Paper (England) Proposals in the Renters’ Reform Bill include abolishing Section 21, strengthening Section 8, and introducing lifetime Tenant Deposits - plus, the initiative of a Landlord Register has also been raised as a possibility. A White Paper on the proposals is expected in early 2022, which should outline how these changes will be implemented.