Free landlord compliance checklist

Equip yourself with all the knowledge you will need to be a fully compliant and law-abiding landlord. Just fill in your details and we'll send a compliance checklist right to your inbox for FREE!

compliance checklist book artwork

Thank you!

The free download has been sent to your email. Please check your account to ensure you have received it
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Free landlord compliance checklist

Equip yourself with all the knowledge you will need to be a fully compliant and law-abiding landlord. Just fill in your details and we'll send a compliance checklist right to your inbox for FREE!

compliance checklist book artwork

Thank you!

The free download has been sent to your email. Please check your account to ensure you have received it
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Landlords - Find quality tenants faster than ever before for only £900 flat rate
Enquire Today
August 25, 2022

Property Update - February 2022

March 1, 2022
Written by
Steve Sims

The government has issued more Right to Rent guidance for landlords, which comes into force in just a few weeks. Read on to find out more

oasis living property news update artwork

Table of contents

The government has issued more Right to Rent guidance for landlords, which comes into force in just a few weeks. The Home Office has updated an online code of practice to avoid unlawful discrimination against tenants.

The latest orders from Whitehall apply to new and renewing tenancies starting on or after April 6, just six weeks away.

The guidance explains different ways a landlord can discriminate against tenants, from indirect actions to unlawful harassment. A Home Office spokesman said: 'The purpose of this code of practice is to ensure that landlords do not unlawfully discriminate contrary to the Equality Act 2010 when carrying out right to rent checks. It provides practical guidance for landlords on what they should or should not do to avoid unlawful discrimination when complying with their obligations under the Immigration Act.'

The latest Right to Rent user guide is also due for updating as digital checks will end on April 5. Right to rent checks are only made in England.

House prices at the fastest rate for four years

monopoloy houses on top of British pound coins

Homeowners made an extra £27,000 last year thanks to rising house prices, according to the latest official data. Average house prices for 2021 reached a record of £293,000 in England, £205,000 in Wales, and £180,000 in Scotland, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Across the UK, house prices increased by an average of 10.8 per cent last year.H ouse prices increased the most in the South West (13.6 per cent) and the South East (12.8 per cent). London homes saw the lowest price rise of 5.5 per cent. The North-East lagged slightly behind the capital with a 5.9 per cent increase.

Buy to let rents throw off shackles

Close-up gavel and handcuffs representing buy to let unshackled

A shortage of homes to rent and a rising number of tenants looking for somewhere to live have combined to see buy-to-let rent go up at the fastest rate for four years.

The Office for National Statistics confirmed tenants are spending 2 per cent more a month than they were a year ago. The last time rents showed an annual 2 per cent increase was in February 2017. Since then, the figure has dipped as low as 0.9 per cent between August and October 2018, averaging around 1.3 per cent.Rents rose fastest in the East Midlands to the end of January, up 3.6 per cent. The South West was next with a 3.5 per cent rise.

Landlords in London had the lowest yearly rent rise in the country, pulling up just 0.9 per cent, followed by the North East at 2.2 per cent.

On the level: Gove's plan for landlords

Houses of Parliament representing the governments decision and how it affects landlords

Housing Secretary Michael Gove made a big deal about publishing the government's flagship levelling up policies but behind the razzamatazz is a rehash of housing policies that have lain around gathering dust for some time. The four-point plan for the private rented sector seems based on reviving the government assault on rogue landlords.

Almost overlooked in the 250-page white paper, Gove has this to say about landlords:

  • Section 21 no-fault evictions are definitely going to be scrapped
  • Rogue landlords will face more enforcement action and fines
  • A decent homes standard is on the way for the private rental sector for the first time
  • Gove wants to test opinions about a national landlord database for England

The secretary pledges to give his proposals more teeth by making them the law, which probably means the long-awaited Rent Reform Bill will flesh out the policies.

Gove said: 'Not everyone shares equally in the UK's success. For decades, too many communities have been overlooked and undervalued. As some areas have flourished, others have been left in a cycle of decline. The UK has been like a jet firing on only one engine.'

'Levelling Up and this White Paper is about ending this historical injustice and calling time on the postcode lottery.'

Find out more about the Levelling Up Campaign and read the white paper

Should landlords register for data protection?

Padlock representing landlords data protection

Warning letters from data protection watchdogs are on the way to tens of thousands of property letting businesses. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) wants to explain that every property rental business processing personal information pays a £55 data protection fee every year unless they have a legal excuse for not doing so. Around 2.5 million landlords let 4.5 million homes, but few are registered with ICO.

Landlords sign up and pay the fee if they process personal data to produce tenancy agreements, make credit checks or obtain references. Landlords that have letting agents managing tenant data for them don't have to register.

Personal information is:

  • Names and addresses
  • Birth dates and national insurance numbers
  • Driving licence details
  • Passports and visas for Right-to-Rent checks
  • Financial records like wage slips and bank statements

Processing data is requesting, storing and using the information. Register as a landlord with ICO.

Watchdog cracks down on lettings portals

Dog looking over a fence

Trading standards officers are warning online property portals must follow new listing laws by the end of May.

The laws cover internet giants like Rightmove and Zoopla and letting agent websites and other listings. Agents must include basic information in their adverts like the property's rent, council tax band and deposits required. Other rules cover homes for sale.

National Trading Standards says later phases of the rules will include data about utilities, flood risk, and non-standard features.

Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council, said: 'The material information project is a crucial piece of work to ensure that consumers looking at buying or renting property can make an informed decision earlier in the process. The objective is to provide consumers with more information before viewing a property.'

Sign Up For Knowledge

If you would like more info on property new, you can sign up to our Landlord Knowledge Hub. Once you are a member we will send news and updates to your inbox. Just fill in the form at the top of the page to start.

April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023
Latest News: Landlords offered £6,000 to house tenants on benefits

The top news stories this week in the world of UK property: London landlords are being offered a £6,000 incentive

Read More
April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023
Latest News: Landlords to evict disruptive renters with 2 weeks notice

The most recent info, news, and insights on the UK property market for both tenants and landlords and everyone in between.

Read More
March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
Latest News: Why have house prices risen in March?

All the latest news, commentary and insights on the UK property market for landlords, tenants, and everybody in between.

Read More
March 17, 2023
March 17, 2023
Latest news: The budget breakdown

In the wake of the Spring 2023 budget, we're bringing you all the latest headlines from the UK property world.

Read More
A UK red brick property for sale
April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023
Latest News: Landlords offered £6,000 to house tenants on benefits

The top news stories this week in the world of UK property: London landlords are being offered a £6,000 incentive

January 9, 2023
January 9, 2023
Property News: Where to buy in London in 2023

The very latest property news for landlords in 2023, from the best areas in London to invest this year, to the increasing importance of EPC to tenants.

Read More
December 16, 2022
December 16, 2022
Property News: Mortgage companies help borrowers

The latest news for landlords, from mortgage companies' promises to help borrowers in need, to the predicted 8% decline in UK home values in 2023.

Read More
December 9, 2022
December 9, 2022
Property News: The Happiest Borough in London 2022

We're bringing you the latest property news, from which London borough has been voted the happiest, to rental premiums for eco homes.

Read More
December 1, 2022
December 1, 2022
Property News: John Lewis Announces £500m BTR Deal

We're bringing you the latest updates in property news, from John Lewis entering the London rental market to 1 million tenants facing eviction.

Read More
Antisocial tenants evicted after 2 weeks
April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023
Latest News: Landlords to evict disruptive renters with 2 weeks notice

The most recent info, news, and insights on the UK property market for both tenants and landlords and everyone in between.

November 22, 2022
November 22, 2022
Property News: London House Prices Fall £13k!

Find out the most recent developments in UK property news, from a nose dive in London house prices to half a million uses of the Mayor's online tool.

Read More
November 3, 2022
November 3, 2022
Property News: Home prices dropped in October

Find out the most recent developments in UK property news, from rising interest rates to the government's commitment to 300k homes per year.

Read More
October 24, 2022
October 24, 2022
October 2022 Property News

Get an update on all the latest happenings in the property market in October 2022. We cover raising rents, interest rates, converted barracks, and more.

Read More
September 23, 2022
September 23, 2022
UK Stamp Duty Cut: A guide to the threshold Changes

The threshold for paying stamp duty has doubled to £250,000 and for first-time buyers, it's been increased to £425,000. This guide explains the changes in full!

Read More
A family with children moving into a rental home
March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
Latest News: Why have house prices risen in March?

All the latest news, commentary and insights on the UK property market for landlords, tenants, and everybody in between.