Skip to content

Bedford 01234 303030 | Ampthill 01525 750750

Make a Payment

Unannounced Updates to the How to Rent Guide

Serving the latest and most up-to-date version of the How to Rent Guide to tenants is an integral part of the process of being a Landlord. Serving an outdated copy can create serious complications further down the line of your tenant’s tenancy. Tenants can use the fact that they have not been provided with the latest version to challenge things like notices to quit.

On 31 May 2019, an update was officially announced for the How to Rent Guide; giving Landlords and Letting Agents the simple task of updating their records along with it. These announcements are very useful as it allows relevant parties to ensure that the latest version of the How to Rent Guide is being provided to tenants.

Unfortunately, some might be surprised to know that that is no longer the most recent version. On June 2019, wording referring to “NALS” was changed to instead refer to “Safeagent” without being announced. Then again on 29 July 2019, the wording regarding what a Tenant must do if they do not have a guarantor was changed. They are now to seek “advice” rather than “help” from Shelter. This too was unannounced.

It’s true that these are very minor changes; but what has now essentially happened is that the officially broadcasted version is no longer the latest version of the How to Rent Guide. Popular legal bloggers such as Giles Peaker and Rich Greenhill have already expressed their discontent with the MHCLG for not announcing these changes.

It can be a very easy mistake to be caught still using the 31 May version. Please ensure that you keep up-to-date.

If you need help regarding this or any other property law issue, please contact us.

Email Simon Parrott

Email Nastassia Khilkevich

Lettings eBrief 13 August 2019