The legal regulations for landlords can sometimes feel like burdens rather than blessings. The red tape, the paperwork, the laws and requirements can make the role of landlord even more challenging. However, there are certain regulations that are in place to assist landlords, particularly if they are looking to remove tenants from their property. If these procedures are not followed to the letter, landlords may become guilty of harassment or illegal evictions. Therefore, it is essential that property owners know and understand the sections that allow them to take action. We will take a look at the various eviction sections in place, but why one of them may soon be scrapped.
A Section 21 Notice
A section 21 notice, also known as a notice for “no fault” evictions, informs tenants of the landlord’s intent to remove them from the property. It starts the process involved in ending their assured shorthold tenancy while giving the tenants the information they need to make plans to leave. A section 21 notice allows landlords to legally remove their tenants who will face consequences if they stay beyond the date stipulated. As the term “no fault” implies, there doesn’t need to be a specific reason for the eviction.
In recent years, this section has been questioned as to whether it really protects the rights of tenants. In some situations, tenants hesitate to make complaints or ask for repairs because they fear that they will be evicted with no reason. Unfair evictions are the biggest single cause of homelessness in the UK, hence why the government is so keen to outlaw them. The proposals made by the government indicate that landlords will be forced to improve the standards of their rental properties, accept renters on benefits and even consider the allowance of pets within the home. These new initiatives are surely going to change the scene of renting across the country for landlord and tenants alike!
A Section 8 Notice
When there are clear reasons for eviction, like the breaking of the tenancy terms, landlords can use a section 8 notice. This requires specific details of the terms that have been broken and sometimes the notice period may be shorter than a section 21 notice. For example, serious anti-social behaviour may give landlords the right to give as little as four weeks notice for a periodic tenancy.
A New Notice
With the scrapping of section 21 notices, the government has proposed that the section 8 notice should be adjusted to allow landlords to evict their tenants when they want to live in the property themselves or sell it on. In that way, the ease for landlords of section 21 notices, as well as the stability for tenants of section 8 notices, are combined to provide a secure living environment for renters while also helping property owners to have the confidence to invest in the rental sector.
Another Important Investment
On the subject of investments, there are other important precautions that landlords need to take in order to protect their property. A trustworthy and comprehensive insurance policy will provide cover and peace of mind. By going to experts and specialists, like Just Landlords, landlords can invest in a secure insurance policy that will protect them if the tenant causes damage to the property or the building is subject to vandalism and theft. There is also the guarantee to continue providing a rental income even if the tenants fail to pay their rent.
Renting might seem like a minefield, but with the help of experts and the support of legal systems, landlords can make a success of their rental endeavours.
