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New housing laws being implemented in the UK

New housing laws being implemented in the UK

You might have heard the new housing laws that are being implemented in the UK within the next year, and if you’re a fellow landlord, you may be distressed as to what this may mean for you.

But good news! We know that the rental sector is a vital part to the housing market, providing housing for hundreds of thousands of people up and down the United Kingdom.

So here we will discuss what laws are coming into practise within the next year and how this will affect you as a landlord.

1. Right to rent checks expiring

In April, temporary regulations on “Right to Rent” checks expired. The rules were revised in March 2020 in order to limit in-person meetings for rent checks of a person’s legal status for renting a property. The government intends to shift everyone to an online-only system. This may affect you in terms of getting to know your tenant on a face-to-face basis. But worry not, as this may reduce any friction between troublesome tenants during this time!

2. Extended safety requirements for carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

There are additional requirements coming for landlords of private properties and social rented homes to ensure there’s a carbon monoxide detector working in each room of the property alongside a fixed combustion appliance. This means that you will have to carry out more thorough checks than previously, so if you have buy to let or HMO properties in cities and towns not nearby to you, make sure to schedule time to take care of these, as it may come back to haunt you later!

3. Rental energy efficiency Revisions

While the government hasn’t yet commented or announced this, it has been expected that energy efficiency rules will tighten. As of current, the minimum standard for an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) stands at an E rating – which in April of 2026 is expected to have to rise to a C standard at minimum for new tenancies. Existing or rolling tenancies from before then will have until April 2028 to meet these standards.

4. Renters Reform Legislation

It has already been announced by Government that outlines the abolishment of a section of the 1998 Housing Act that lets tenants be Section 21’d. (evicted) without notice. This potential change in the legislation could ultimately lead to creation of a specialist court for handling such situations, possibly reducing a landlord’s costs and burdens when evicting a tenant.

5. Changes to Pet-owning tenants

One of the most talked about legislations that’s in the talks of becoming reality very soon is the likelihood of landlords having to consider pets. Now, if you’re a landlord who strictly does not like pets, you can still hold this standard for your property. All that this means, is that tenants will soon have a higher chance of qualifying to rent with pets. Its currently pending in Parliament, but its looking likely to become reality! If you’re a landlord, would you allow pets?

 

6. Revisions for landlords to report Capital Gains Tax

Finally, there are talks of a revision on the topic of selling property that may be subject to potential capital gains tax. Usually, landlords will have a deadline of 30 days to complete filing their tax bills, whereas now that will be doubled to a 60-day deadline. The funny thing about this tax revision, is it actually came into practice October last year but still to this day, it isn’t a known thing among UK landlords!

If you’re a landlord, what will you do in these difficult times of change? Let us know in the comments – and if you need any advice, feel free to email our residential office at ian@stayclever.co.uk or alternatively, call us at 01752 421911

By Caitlin Stimpson