A reminder to agents - the government has issued an updated version of the How To Rent booklet which has to be given by agents or landlords, in paper or online form, to new tenants before the start of their tenancy.
The changes, introduced in a version put on to the Department of Communities and Local Government website last week, reflect the new Right To Rent immigration checks which exist in England.
The new version tells prospective tenants that landlords and agents will want to confirm their immigration status and makes it clear that the checks will be made on all prospective tenants aged over 18 who will be living in the property.
The document has the support of numerous industry organisaitons including the Association of Residential Letting Agents.
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I am glad I am the first to comment.
I want to make you aware that the Guide to Rent does not include all legal requirements. I have personally written to Brandon Lewis and the board of The Department of Communities and Local Government.
Why you may ask?
Because there is a very important part of any rental agreement missing from the Guide , this should not of been missed by any of they appointed consulting team. This is why Utilitease have suggested that for future publications we should also be included as a professional body and experienced in this part of the rental process. Please see letter bellow.
To:
Thank you for talking to me today regarding The Guide to rent
Last updated:1 February 2016.
Part of: Rented housing sector
From: Department for Communities and Local Government
As mentioned, I was shocked to see that there is no mention of (COTs) Change of tenancy notifications, as it is a legal requirement and should therefore be included in both this and any homeowners guide. I understand that you consulted with The Association of Residential Letting Agents, Registered Landlords Association and National Landlords Association, but this was not discussed. However, because of its importance in creating information on occupancy for many local, central and national government departments including all suppliers, it is a necessity.
Please visit http://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/liability-for-water-payments.shtml
It is still a legal responsibility of the tenant to inform all suppliers and the council. However, you will note that legislation may change and could also include gas and electric liability for property owners and management companies/associations. We are fully involved in this part of the industry and would like to assist the Department for Communities and Local Government regarding policy advice and guides to be published in the future.
Utilitease provide services and advice to many types of organisations including letting agents, landlords, councils, housing associations and trade federations.
We offer a free notification service for any change of tenancy occurring within an agent’s portfolio, and notify the relevant Councils, Energy & Water suppliers, and track those notifications thus protecting our agent/client from current and upcoming legislation. We further offer a full, whole of market comparison service to all tenants for energy as part of the Government “Power to Switch” Campaign, and also include telecoms and insurance services
We believe that customer care is paramount, and that the ‘customer journey’ should always be protected.
I would also ask you to take a look at my LinkedIn post What The Government and Utilitease is doing to lower customers utility bills:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-government-utilitease-doing-keep-your-energy-bill-gareth-bowles
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I hope you find this email of interest and await your response. If you have any questions regarding the above information please feel free to contact me.
Kindest Regards
Gareth
Gareth Bowles | Business Development Manager.
gareth.bowles@iesltd-uk.com
So I do hope that when you are giving this guide you include this legal requirement verbally or in your contract until The Guide to Rent has been updated.
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