June 1st 2006

As of October 1st of this year, no landlord will be able to take and hold a deposit for an Assured Shorthold tenancy unless they or their agent are members of a government-approved Tenancy Deposit scheme and can provide confirmation of this to tenants. If the landlord or agent cannot prove they belong to an approved scheme the tenants will be entitled to receive their deposit back plus an additional amount for damages and the landlord will forfeit their ability to serve a Section 21 notice on the tenant to gain possession of the property.

April 6th 2006

The definition of a house in multiple occupation (HMOs) changes along with those that require licensing by your local authority. Depending upon the size of the property and the number of households or individual tenants that rent it may result in landlords having to ensure their property is licensed by the local authority.