The government has confirmed that its new Section 21 regulations will come into effect on October 1 despite a high-profile hitch in drafting the legislation.

Last week we reported that some industry bodies believed there was a substantial risk of the deadline not being met as a result of drafting errors.

However, the government says amendments have now been tabled to revise the wording of the legislation, and a new Section 21 form has been circulated for last minute comments from the industry and consumer bodies.

Therefore it is now just about certain that from October 1 at the start of a new tenancy a landlord or agent acting on their behalf must furnish tenants with a valid Energy Performance Certificate, an annual Gas Safety Certificate and a copy of the government’s How To Rent guide.

Failure to do this means the agent or landlord cannot serve a section 21 eviction notice.