We’re almost mid-way through 2019 already, amid so much uncertainty regarding the whole Brexit saga. But don’t let that be a reason to overlook all the new letting legislation coming into effect this year. Tenants Fees Ban, Homes (Fit for Human Habitation) Act and Client Money Protection Scheme are all coming into play at some point this year.

Tenants Fee Ban

Coming into force as of 1st June 2019, aiming to ensure that tenants will be able to see what a property will cost them in the advertised rent without any hidden charges. It will also deposits for properties will be capped at a maximum of five weeks’ rent, six weeks’ for tenancy properties that cost more than £50,000 a year. Agents and landlords will also be banned from charging fees for anything other than the following:

• Contract changes
• Council and utilities tax
• Changes to the tenancy
• Issues where the tenant is at fault

This new legislation is going to impact landlords and agents, meaning they will no longer be able to pass on things such as inventories, credit checks and tenant referencing with new tenants. Causing problems as all of these processes are time-consuming and need considerable manpower to complete, thus generating a cost.