Important COVID-19 Updates: What’s changed since 23rd April?
To help support you and your business, we have put together a list of facts summarising the changes currently impacting the Private Rental Sector due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 is an ever-changing landscape and subject to swift changes. Our last update went out on 23rd April, and even since then a lot has changed.
The content in this bulletin details how the facts stand as of 8th June 2020. At LegalforLandlords we are constantly adapting and communicating changes to help all clients, and as always, will keep you updated when any further information is received.
Legal updates
- If you need legal advice, you can book a free online consultation with our legal team. This is an extremely busy time for our advisors so the best way to get in touch with us is online. It’s quick, simple and free! Book your consultation here.
- Eviction ban extended for a further two months, coming into force on 25th June 2020.
- Hearings which were vacated due to COVID-19 are being listed for August and September. Some hearings are being automatically listed but some may require you to apply for a new hearing with a court fee payment, or you may be asked to submit a written request. Some courts are now accepting new cases, but we are yet to receive any hearing dates.
- New electrical safety requirements came into force from 1 June 2020 (for new tenancies commencing 1 July 2020, existing tenancies from 1 April 2021). New Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested. Further information here.
Insurance updates
- NEW Coronavirus Rent Protection is now in action for New Lets until the 30th September, thereafter the product may change.
✔️ Fixed fee for rents up to £2500 PCM
✔️ Covers 100% of 6 monthly payments
✔️ Managed Renewals Accepted
✔️ Covers up to £15k of rent per claim
✔️ 24-hour legal helpline
Referencing updates
- Employers are starting to operate again so the majority of references are now being successfully dual verified (which means you and your landlords are more legible for our new Coronavirus Rent Protection cover). You can also get cover on the back of an accepted Smart Reference*.
- Furlough is still extended. Caution must be applied. Job losses are still a concern, furlough was created to mitigate this as much as possible.
*Please note, you or your landlord need to make it clear that the tenant will need to opt in to Open Banking, and who they bank with must be part of the scheme otherwise this reference type is not suitable.
