Landmark Government Bill on Building Safety Published

Draft Building Safety Bill Published 20 July 2020

First announced in January, the government recently published its draft ‘Building Safety Bill which aims to make residents safer in their homes and deliver the biggest changes to building safety for nearly 40 years… It will improve regulations as the Government seeks to bring forward a “clearer system with residents’ safety at the heart of it” with residents having helped to develop the proposals through engagement groups.’ says Propertymark, the UK’s foremost property association.

Propertymark further explains:

‘Under the new rules, people living in high rise buildings will be empowered to challenge inaction from their building owners, have better access to safety information about their building, and will benefit from a swift and effective complaints process.

A Building Safety Regulator, already being set up within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), will be established and equipped with the power to hold building owners to account or face the consequences and will enforce a new, more stringent set of rules that will apply for buildings of 18 meters or more or taller than six storeys from the design phase to occupation.

The Government views the draft Bill as legislation that will evolve as further evidence and risks are identified to ensure that residents’ safety is always prioritised and will also provide new powers to better regulate construction materials and products to ensure they are safe to use.’

The government will be publishing a new manual to the regulations to help ensure that building owners are clear on what steps they need to take to make their buildings compliant and - most importantly - safe.

Stamp Duty Rates to be Temporarily Reduced

Government Outlines Details for Stamp Duty Land Tax

In a mini-budget announcement yesterday, the government has reduced the rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on residential properties purchased between 8 July 2020 and 31 March 2021. 

The details indicate that:

‘If you purchase a residential property between 8 July 2020 to 31 March 2021, you only start to pay SDLT on the amount that you pay for the property above £500,000. These rates apply whether you are buying your first home or have owned property before. From 8 July 2020 to 31 March 2021 the special rules for first time buyers are replaced by the reduced rates.’

You can use the Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator in the link below to work out how much tax you’ll pay on your property purchase.

Electrical Safety Certificates Now Required

First Phase of New Electrical Safety Regulations Comes Into Force

As detailed previously, electrical safety inspections are required for all new tenancies from 1st July 2020. This means that if your property is currently being marketed for rent, it will require certification to ensure that the electrical installations in your private rented property are safe and compliant.

The certification requirement for existing tenancies will not come into force until 1st April 2021 and certificates will be valid for 5 years.

Our team of highly trusted, recommended and competitively priced tradespeople - have been busily servicing our landlords over the past few months to ensure their properties are compliant with this latest legislation.

To fully appreciate our fabulous team, fantastic rates and transparent pricing - contact us using the link below:

Government Extends Eviction Ban

Support for Tenants and Landlords Extended until 23 August - Update

As preparations begin for the easing of lockdown across England, the government have also recognised that tenants and landlords continue to require support in these extraordinary times.

It was announced yesterday that the three month suspension currently in place on all new eviction proceedings will be extended for a further two months.

The two month extension will come into force on 25 June, when the previous three month extension, originally announced in March, was due to expire. The mortgage payment holiday offered to landlords has also been granted the same extension.

It is expected that new eviction hearings will be heard by the courts starting from the end of August.

If your tenants have been financially affected by the coronavirus and unable to pay their rent, reach out and contact us. We’ve been successfully helping our landlords to manage their tenants and properties throughout this difficult period and you will find all the information and support that you need when you call us.

Full details on the two month extension are available through the link below.

Further Details on Current Eviction Ban

Government Guidance Published Regarding Support for Tenants and Landlords

Further to the announcement last week of the suspension of new Section 21 notices being heard by the courts, detailed guidance of the halt to eviction proceedings is now available.

Effective from 26 March 2020, landlords wishing to serve notice to end existing tenancy agreements will have to give 3 months notice. Effectively, this will mean that landlords seeking to commence court proceedings for evictions will not be able to do so until after 30 September.

The guidance goes on to state that effective 27 March 2020, the courts will suspend all ongoing housing possession actions. For example, if you have already served a Section 21 notice to your tenant, this will not progress in the system towards an eviction for at least the next 90 days.

The published guidelines are available to read in detail through the link below.