As you are no doubt aware from the recent news articles, the government are proposing three year tenancies for rented properties. Click here to learn more.

Having looked at this carefully the proposal is that tenancies will have a minimum fixed term of three years, however, they will have a break clause at the 6 month period to ensure Landlords and Tenants are happy. After this initial 6 months if no party actions the break clause a tenant will be able to give one month’s notice at any time, but you, as the Landlord would be unable to give a tenant notice unless they breach their tenancy. If a tenant were to breach their tenancy you would need to go to court to remove them under a Section 8 Notice. As part of this the proposal also suggests that they would set up specialist housing tribunals to speed up the process of genuine eviction from the current timescales of between three and four months.

The team here at Newman Property Experts have put forward their thoughts as part of the survey that the government have issued to hear the views of Landlords, Tenants and property professionals, however, it is crucial that, as Landlords, you use this consultation to air your views and opinions to ensure that you have a better chance of being heard and your position understood. As we know, each and every landlord has their own reasons for letting homes and it is really important the government understand that, whilst this will work for some, it will not work as blanket policy.

It is also important to remember that, as part and parcel of this the Tenant Fee Ban is coming in April 2019 which will see a massive shift in the marketplace again to include, at the moment, policy wording that sees on 6 weeks rent permissible as a deposit across the board. This is still being debated in parliament and Shelter and tenant groups are still pushing for a policy of a maximum of 4 week deposits at this time. So it is important to bear this in mind as part and parcel of your responses.

Please click the following link to air your views on these current proposals https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9ZG8ZRZ

If you require any further information or wish to discuss any of the current proposed legislative changes please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warmest regards

Caroline Newman