Welcome to JUST MOVE LTD Estate Agents

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Upcoming changes to rental laws in England will give tenants greater security, fairness, and flexibility. 

• Fixed-term tenancies will be replaced with rolling agreements, making it easier to move with two months’ notice.
•  ‘No-fault’ evictions will end, meaning landlords must have a valid legal reason to evict, with more extended notice periods in most cases. 
• New standards will ensure safer, better-maintained homes, while rent increases will be limited and more transparent. 
• Tenants will also benefit from stronger protections against discrimination, clearer rights around keeping pets, and improved access to dispute resolution through a national landlord register and Ombudsman. 

 Common Tax Mistakes Buy-to-Let Landlords Make

• Not seeking professional advice before investing can lead to inefficient tax planning and missed allowances. 
• Incorrect income splitting between partners, where the rental income does not match the actual ownership shares.
• Claiming disallowed expenses, such as capital improvements or training for new skills, instead of only allowable revenue costs.
• Errors or omissions on self-assessment returns, including not realising a return is required or misunderstanding mortgage interest rules. 
• Misreporting capital gains, by calculating profit based on remaining equity rather than the original purchase price versus sale price. 

Legal Responsibilities for Landlords 

• Check licensing requirements with your local council to ensure the property is correctly licensed.
• Obtain consent to let from your mortgage lender or freeholder if applicable. 
• Comply with safety regulations, including gas, electrical, smoke and carbon monoxide requirements. 
• Provide a valid EPC rated E or above at the start of the tenancy. 
• Protect the tenant’s deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days. 
• Carry out Right to Rent checks for all adult occupiers. 
• Issue required tenancy documents, including a compliant agreement and statutory guides. 
• Follow the Tenant Fees Act 2019, charging only permitted fees.
• Maintain and repair the property in line with legal obligations. 
• Follow correct eviction procedures, ensuring full compliance with current and upcoming legislation. 

 Top Tips for Tenants 

• Check the inventory carefully at the start of your tenancy and report any inaccuracies immediately. 
• Ventilate the property properly to reduce condensation and prevent damp or mould. 
• Maintain the garden if your tenancy agreement makes it your responsibility. 
• Report issues promptly to your landlord or agent before small problems become serious. 
• Clean thoroughly before moving out to help ensure your full deposit is returned. 

Key changes:

• Tenants will be given the right to request permission from the landlord to keep a pet.
• Landlords will be unable to refuse a pet request without a good reason.
• Discrimination rules will be tightened to outlaw ‘blanket bans’ on tenants in receipt of benefits or with children.

 Key changes:

• The notice period for the most common mandatory grounds, where the tenant is not at fault, will rise to 4 months.
• If a landlord wants to either sell or move into the property, they will not be able to evict the tenant within the first 12 months of a new tenancy, which will be a “restricted period”.
• If a landlord evicts the tenant because they want to sell, they will not be able to re-let the property for 12 months after the expiry of the 4-month notice period.
• The notice period for rent arrears will increase from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, and the tenant must be 3 months in arrears (up from the current 2 months).
• The grounds for possession based on anti-social behaviour will be strengthened, with landlords able to begin proceedings immediately.