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Advice for private landlords

We work with local landlords and agents to ensure responsible renting through advice and encouragement.

Although many landlords already have well-managed properties, others may need advice and assistance to enable them to run their business correctly, ensuring they meet their legal obligations.

If you’re thinking about renting your property, download the LACORS landlord leaflet (PDF File, 400kb).

Useful information can also be found in the national private rented sector code of practice or on the government website. 

Fire safety

National guidance is available providing advice on keeping residential buildings safe from fire. Landlords who follow this guidance and correctly carry our fire risk assessments will be well placed to satisfy requirements set out under fire safety legislation.

Download the LACORS Fire Safety leaflet for more information.

Gas safety

Landlords must ensure all gas appliances and flues provided for tenants are safe. They must also be subject to an annual safety check carried out only by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Find out more about gas safety from the Health and Safety Executive, or visit the Gas Safe Register website.

Electrical safety

Landlords must ensure all electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at an interval of at least every 5 years. 

Find out more about landlord responsibilities for electrical safety from the Electrical Safety First organisation.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms

From 1 October 2022 the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require all social landlords to provide smoke alarms on every storey of their properties where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. This has been a requirement for private sector landlords since 2015.

All landlords are also required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room of their properties used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is present (excluding gas cookers). The new regulations requires landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of tenancy and landlords are obliged to repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable.

Further guidance and FAQ’s for both private sector landlords and tenants can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Overcrowding

By law, rented dwellings must have suitable space for the number of people living in them. Assessment should consider space for sleeping, living, cooking, dining, usable space for studying, as well as washing and sanitary accommodation. Where appropriate, it should also consider external amenity and recreation space, including suitable and safe outdoor play space for children.

Download the LACORS guidance on crowding and space (PDF File, 1,198kb) or get in touch for more information.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

There are a number of specific requirements for landlords operating houses of multiple occupation and a mandatory licensing scheme for particular high risk properties. Visit our houses in multiple occupation page for more information.

Renters Rights Bill - Update

Overview

New rental laws are coming soon. We expect the Bill to come in late 2025. There are big changes that landlords and tenants need to know about. The Council can take enforcement action if landlords do not comply with the new law, including fines or criminal prosecution.

Key changes

Landlords and tenants will no longer agree fixed tenancy periods

These are called assured shorthold tenancies. All tenancies will be monthly periodic assured tenancies with no end date. On a date that has not been decided yet, the new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies. Existing tenancies will convert to the new system.

Any new tenancies signed on or after this date will be governed by the new rules. The new tenancy system will apply to Councils and housing associations at a later date. If there is no reason for a landlord to take back a property (known as grounds for possession), tenants can stay in their home until they decide to end the tenancy themselves by giving two months' notice.

Abolishing Section 21 notices (no fault evictions)

Landlords can only end tenancies in specific situations set out in law, such as:

  • If tenants are in rent arrears
  • If tenants cause anti social behaviour
  • If tenants cause damage to a home
  • If the landlord needs to sell

The possession grounds of a landlord wanting to sell or have family live at the property cannot be used during the first twelve months of a tenancy. Landlords must give four months' notice to use these grounds. If used, the property cannot then be let again for twelve months.

There is a new possession ground for landlords renting to students in HMO. This is so they can seek possession in advance of the next academic year.

Rent

Rents can be increased once a year to the market rate. This is the price that you would get if the property was newly advertised to let. If a tenant believes the rent increase is above the market rate, they can complain about it by applying to the First Tier Tribunal. They must do this before the start date of the proposed new rent.

Landlords and agents cannot ask for or accept offers above the advertised rent for a home.

Limit rent in advance. Landlords will be banned from charging or accepting more than one month's rent upfront.

Pets

Landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant asks to have a pet. Landlords can require insurance covering pet damage.  The government will publish guidance before the new rules come into force.

Refusing to rent

It will be against the law for landlords and agents to refuse to rent to people who:

  • get Universal Credit, Housing, or Disability benefits
  • have children

Landlords can still refuse an applicant if they believe they will be unable to afford the rent, or would be an unsuitable tenant. This should be judged on a case by case basis.

Tenancy Agreement

All tenants should be given a written tenancy agreement.

Other changes

The government have not yet set a date for their introduction of these changes.

Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman

  • All landlords must pay to join, including those who use a managing agent. A fee has not been set yet.
  • Landlords will be told the deadline by which they will need to sign up.
  • Tenants will be able to use the service for free to complain about a landlords' actions or behaviours.
  • The Ombudsman will have powers to make landlords give an apology, provide information, put something right, and/or pay compensation.
  • Landlords must obey ombudsman decisions.

Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database

  • All landlords must pay to join, including those who use a managing agent. A fee has not been set yet.
  • Landlords will be told the deadline by which they will need to sign up.
  • The database will list the name and contact details for a landlord, homes they manage, and details of any past offences as a landlord.
  • Guidance will set out landlord and tenant responsibilities.
  • Landlords must register on the database before a property can be marketed or let.

Decent Home Standard

  • Privately rented homes will need to meet the same Decent Home Standard as Councils and Housing Associations. These are minimum standards of quality and repair.
  • Any landlord failing to meet the Decent Home Standard will be unable to let the home out and potentially must refund rent to their tenant. This is to ensure renters will have safe, secure and hazard free homes.

Awaab's Law

This sets clear timescales for landlords to investigate and fix serious problems with damp and mould and other hazards so that rented homes are safe. Timescales have not been published yet.

Councils and Housing Associations will need to comply with this as well.

More information

You can read more about the Renters Rights Bill on GOV.UK.

 

Landlord accreditation scheme

If you’re a landlord who is serious about setting, achieving and minting high standards then consider seeking accreditation for your activities. Take a look at the DASH landlord accreditation scheme as a marker of quality service.

Enforcement

The Council ensures that private sector homes, both privately rented and owner-occupied, are of good quality and meet the current legal standards. Complaints of disrepair and housing safety issues are investigated.

NRLA - The home for landlords

The NRLA is the largest membership organisation for private landlords in the UK. It has over 100,000 members and offers help and advice to guide members through the complex regulatory environment, with all the essential documents and guidance needed to run a successful and fully compliant business.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is a member of the NRLA. If you'd like to find out more about how they could help you as a landlord visit their website.