Paul Ainsworth Lord from Ainsworth Lord Estates and Letting Agents in Darwen, Blackburn and East Lancashire discusses How a good letting agent protects their landlords from new regulation pains.
We read an article recently which claimed many landlords were unaware of new regulations which could affect their property portfolio.
In some cases non compliance could leave the landlords at risk of hefty fines.
In the article, it claimed a survey of 4,000 landlords had highlighted a real lack of knowledge about soon to be introduced regulations.
These regulation changes included the Energy Performance Certificate criteria and also the Government’s existing Right to Rent scheme.
According to the survey only 52% of respondents knew it would be against the law to rent properties with an EPC rating of F or G from April 2018.
More worryingly 17% of those surveyed weren’t even aware of the changes. However, another 31% mistakenly thought the rules came in to force in June or December.
A fifth of those who were surveyed were unaware about rules on accessing a tenanted property.
While a whopping 70% didn’t know about the penalties – unlimited fines and imprisonment – for failing to comply with Right to Rent regulations.
A third of those surveyed were unsure of when a gas safety certificate should be issued.
The survey went on to say 90% didn’t know whether a tenancy agreement needed to be reissued if there was a new tenant.
The survey and subsequent article highlighted more gaps in landlords’ understanding and knowledge of the industry.
Which leads us to our main point – when a landlord instructs a knowledgeable and experienced letting agent a lot of the things mentioned above will be explained to them clearly and expertly.
We’ve been in this industry since WHEN. Over those years the industry has become almost unrecognizable due to the changes in laws and regulations.
It’s our job to keep up to speed with all those changes. And ensure our landlords are well informed way before the changes become potentially very expensive issues.
We regularly attend conferences and industry workshops to keep our knowledge updated.
This is an investment of time and money which ultimately pays dividends for our clients and safeguards them against falling foul of new changes to laws and regulations.
Thanks for reading and if you have any other property related questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – we’d love to help you.
PS: If you want to let your property quickly, professionally and cost effectively:
Call Ainsworth Lord Estates and our team on 01254 760 660
Email Darwen@AinsworthLordEstates.com
Pop into our office at 49 Market Street, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 1PS
For honest, expert and friendly advice.
Estates and Letting Agents in Darwen, Blackburn and East Lancashire.
