The Government has this month announced plans to introduce a scheme requiring all private landlords to be registered before letting residential property.

Buy-to-let mortgages have become increasingly common and, in an economic climate that is preventing many owners from selling their property, letting the property is often the alternative. As a consequence, the letting sector has boomed in the last decade and there are now approximately one million private landlords in England and Wales alone.

The new proposal is that anybody wanting to let a residential property will first need to register with a national body, the cost of which would be approximately £50. Landlords would then have to comply with certain minimum standards and failure to do so could lead to them being prevented from letting property in the future.

A similar scheme currently operates in Scotland, where tenants of bad landlords may be told that they can stop paying rent, while the landlords themselves may face criminal proceedings. Whether these sanctions would be introduced here is something that is not yet clear.

There are many unscrupulous landlords, who exploit their tenants and fail to provide adequate accommodation or facilities. Tenants’ complaints are often ignored, or lead to intimidation by the landlord or even eviction. It is understandable that the government wants to stop these unscupulous practices, but the legislation will inevitably affect the thousands of good landlords who adhere properly to what are already onerous conditions.

Landlord and tenant law is constantly changing, often with the intention of protecting the tenant, and the proposals outlined above are an example of that. If landlords are not aware of their obligations, it can be a costly mistake.

Our team of property lawyers is committed to helping its clients avoid this risk. Where appropriate, Birchall Blackburn works closely with its clients’ letting agents and property management specialists in order to provide an integrated service. Advice is targeted to our clients’ individual needs, making sure that their interests are always fully protected.

If you have any questions about this article or if you require advice or assistance in respect of property letting, email Tony Coates or telephone him on 0161 238 5604.