30th April 2023

New How to Rent Guide Publication

A new How To Rent Guide was to be published on Friday, 17 March 2023; however, it was not published as expected.

The last update was over two years ago, during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic.

The How to Rent Guide is a prescribed document which must be provided to assured shorthold tenants in England. This is of critical importance to landlords who must serve the latest version at the start of any new tenancy or at the renewal of the tenancy.

If the correct version of the How to Rent Guide is not served on the tenant, the landlord will be prohibited from being able to serve their tenant with a no-fault notice (the Section 21 Notice, also known as Form 6A).

The guide is being updated to reflect some of the landlords legal obligations, which the previous version did not refer to. These changes include references to the landlords requirement to install a carbon monoxide alarm being fitted in every room with a fixed fuel burning appliance. The guide has also been updated to reflect that EICRs must be provided to the tenant. It also contains information on fitting smart meters and there is a section in the guide on ensuring the property is suitable if you have a disability.

Other changes might include an update to the Code of Practice on Right to Rent Civil Penalty Scheme.

Originally the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had told trade bodies that the new edition would be released on 17 March 2023.

Nathan Emerson, Propertymark chief executive, comments:

“We understand that DLUHC have delayed publishing the latest How to Rent Guide. It’s vital that agents have clarity to ensure they issue the latest version of the document.

“We will continue to work with the UK Government and inform the industry of any further updates.”

It is expected that the new version of the How to Rent Guide will be published shortly. Landlord Advice UK will publish further updates once the new How to Rent Guide has been published.

Update: The new How to Rent Guide has now been published and can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1143413/6.8242_DLUHC_How_to_rent_March_2023.pdf

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