Industry news
News relating to the private rented sector from both England and Wales, affecting landlords.
Lockdown: Government clarifies position on possession cases
The Government has provided important clarification about the enforcement of possession cases during the second national lockdown. In a letter to the High Court Enforcement Officers Association the Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland, has confirmed that during the lockdown there will be no enforcement of Possession Orders except for the most serious cases.
NRLA gives evidence to Government committee
The Government's Environmental Audit Committee has heard evidence from the NRLA as part of its investigation into the energy efficiency of homes in the UK. As of this year all rental properties (other than those with valid exemptions) must have an EPC rating of E or higher to be legally rented out.
Right to Rent: Online system to be available later this month
New guidance on Right to Rent has been published this week. The legislative changes enable landlords and letting agents to use a new Home Office online checking service, available from 25 November, to undertake right to rent checks for non-UK nationals.
England lockdown: Furlough scheme extended and house moves can still go ahead
New agents course goes live
A new nationally recognised agent qualification is being launched by the NRLA. The Managing Property and Residential Lettings Level 3 award is the equivalent of an A level for new and existing letting agents and property managers who want to develop their skills.
Court reform vital before Section 21 can be axed report warns
Section 21 should not be scrapped until Section 8 is reformed and a new specialist housing court is created, a new report published this week has warned. The Lettings Industry Councils (TLIC) Beyond Section 21 report was commissioned following the Government consultation on axing Section 21, which ran last year and received more than 20,000 responses.
Coronavirus: Updated guidance for landlords
Work and Pensions select committee report on Universal Credit published
A new report published by the Work and Pensions Select Committee recommends a number of changes to the Universal Credit system.
Wales heads for circuit breaker lockdown: New rules on viewings and house moves
A nationwide lockdown is returning to Wales following an announcement made today by First Minister Mark Drakeford MS, with some implications for the private rented sector (PRS) when it comes to house moves and viewings. The lockdown will come into force at 6pm on Friday 23 October and last until Monday 9 November.
NRLA calls for Welsh Housing Survey
The NRLA Wales has today launched its campaign for political parties to commit to expanding the evidence base for housing by introducing a Welsh Housing Survey (WHS). The call comes as the Senedd is in the process of passing its fourth Bill affecting the private rented sector in six years without any comprehensive, government-commissioned data set for housing to support good policy making.
