Three UK Property Legislation Changes That Landlords And Property Investors Should Expect In 2022

The UK property market's private rented sector will be seeing changes in UK property legislation within the year and of these changes, the following are the most critical especially since it concerns you---our property investors and landlords: 

Landlord And Tenant (Reform) Bill, AKA, The Renters Reform Bill

We've previously presented a brief summary of the bill, please check Part 1 and Part 2, and it is chockful of many changes and amendments to the current UK property legislation covering the private renting sector. 

And while the bill still has to be presented in the next parliamentary meeting and may not see implementation within the year, it is generally agreed that the whole bill, or most, at least may pass into legislation. 

That means tighter regulations for landlords, reformed grounds for eviction, and longer notice periods for rent increases, and increased compliance regulations. 

The reform also means all lettings will follow a single system of periodic renting where tenants ay opt to continue or terminate the contract on two months’ notice. 

The landlord may only be able to end the tenancy on three specific grounds, as defined in law. Now, how this will affect short-term lets like those common in counties and areas that rely on seasonal tourism like York, for example, remains to be seen.

The kicker? Landlords and property investors are required to register their properties to a centralised online property portal for compliance and completion of legal requirements. 

Amendments Passed For Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations

The government has amended the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm regulations, and beginning on the 1st of October 2022, all rental properties must have carbon monoxide alarms installed in every room with a fixed combustion appliance, with the exclusion of gas cookers.

When a new fixed combustion appliance is installed, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed as well, and immediate repair or replacement must be made if alarms are found to be faulty. 

A similar property legislation will also come into effect on the 1st of December 2022, in Wales, requiring the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with gas appliances, oil-fired combustion appliances, or solid fuel-burning combustion appliances.

Case Appeal Changes Gas Safety Certificate Rule

The Byrne versus Harwood-Delgado gas safety certificate case went on appeal and was granted in favour of the tenant. In doing so, it became the standard for strict landlord compliance.

The case is is based on the tenant’s dispute that he didn’t receive a gas safety certificate before moving into the property. On appeal, it was established that this was failure of compliance on the part of the landlord. 

Because of this appeal ruling, all landlords and property investors are now obligated to serve a valid updated gas safety certificate to tenants before they move in, or risk not being able to request for eviction using a Section 21 notice.