November Housing Market Update
Posted on Monday, 23 November, 2020
Housing market update
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed that “the housing market will remain open” throughout England’s second national lockdown, which began on 5 November and will continue until at least 2 December. Jenrick wrote on Twitter that “renters and homeowners will be able to move; removal firms and estate agents can operate; construction sites can and should continue; Tradespeople will be able to enter homes; but all must follow the Covid safety guidance.” Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
Home Office introduces online checking system for right to rent
A Revised Code of Practice on Right to Rent officially replaces the previous version on 2 November 2020 and has set out the details of the Home Office’s new online right to rent check service. Tenants who hold a biometric residence permit, a biometric residence card, or a status issued under the EU Settlement Scheme can choose to prove their right to rent via the online checking service. The Revised Code of Practice also clarified that visitors from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States with biometric passports (also known as “B5JSSK nationals”) can prove their right to rent if they have arrived in the UK using an ePassport gate. From 2 November 2020, B5JSSK nationals will be permitted to use a combination of their passport, plus evidence of entry to the UK to demonstrate a right to rent. We carry out right to rent checks on your behalf as part of our let-only service. If you would like any more information about these checks, please get in touch.
Proposed changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
The government wants to raise the minimum energy efficiency standards to EPC Band C by 2028 in order to improve the overall energy performance of the private rented sector in England and Wales. The government is proposing a phased introduction for the new standards, which means that they would apply to new tenancies from 1 April 2025 and all tenancies by 1 April 2028, in addition to increasing the maximum investment amount for landlords to £10,000 and introducing a ‘fabric first’ approach to energy performance improvements. We ensure client’s properties are compliant with the current minimum energy efficiency standards as part of our fully managed service, but we do encourage you to participate in the consultation on the proposals, which will be running until 30 December 2020. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like any more information on the current minimum energy efficiency standards or the proposals.
