1. New anti-Covid-19 measures
The government has released new guidance to help limit the spread of Covid-19 in rented homes.
If you, your letting agent or workmen need to visit a renter’s property, you should ensure it is well ventilated.
The guidance suggests asking the renter to keep windows or doors on opposite sides of a room open during visits.
You should also check if small vents or grilles at the top of windows are open and unblocked.
You can’t access a property to carry out repairs or safety inspections if someone in the household has Covid-19 symptoms.
The only exception is if the repairs are to fix something that is a direct safety risk to the occupants or the public.
You can find further details of the new anti-Covid measures here.
2. Six-month eviction notice rule extended in Wales
During the pandemic, landlords were asked to give tenants six months’ warning if they're planning to evict them. Those rules have now been extended in Wales.
The rule was introduced in July 2020 and was due to expire on 31 December 2021.
But the Welsh government has now extended it until 24 March 2022.
The rule applies to all types of evictions. The only exception is those involving domestic violence or anti-social behaviour.
Find out more information about eviction rules
3. Prepare for new energy efficiency rules
The government is expected to press ahead with new energy efficiency rules for rental homes in England and Wales.
The new rules state that all rental properties must have an energy performance rating of C or above.
Under current rules, your properties must have a rating of at least E.
The government is expected to give landlords until 2026 to meet the requirements for any new rental agreements.
You’ll have until 2028 to comply for any existing tenancy agreements.
The price cap on the amount you will have to spend to ensure each property is energy efficient is also being raised from £3,500 to £10,000.
The government estimates landlords will need to spend an average of £4,700 per property.
You’ll find details on what has been announced so far here.
4. New rules make it harder to ban pets
New rules have been introduced that make it harder for landlords to have a blanket ban on pets in their properties.
The government has amended its model tenancy agreement to state that you can only refuse to have well-behaved pets in your property if there’s a valid reason, such as a lack of space.
However, while the Government recommends that landlords use the model tenancy agreement, it is not a requirement.
So your tenants will still need to obtain written permission from you in order to have a pet.
You can find further details about pets and renters here.
5. Enhanced carbon monoxide safety rules
New rules that came into force last year mean landlords must install carbon monoxide detectors.
The detectors must be put in place where new or existing appliances, such as gas boilers or gas fires, are installed.
You must also fix or replace carbon monoxide detectors if they are faulty.
The aim is to better protect renters from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
Read more about the new rules here.
6. Changes to mortgage interest tax relief
Mortgage interest tax relief was phased out from 6 April 2020. It was replaced with a 20% tax credit for mortgage interest.
But you won’t feel the impact of the change until you complete your 2020/2021 tax return.
The deadline for self-assessment returns for 2020/2021 is 31 January.
So, if you’ve not yet filed your return, you have until then to get your head around what the changes mean to you.
You can find full details here.
7. Extra time to file capital gains tax
There is some good news on the tax front. You will have more time in which to pay capital gains tax when you sell a rental property.
Landlords now have 60 days in which to report and pay capital gains tax when they sell a buy-to-let property.
The time is double the previous period of 30 days in which they had to do this.
The Chancellor announced the change in the Budget in October last year.
8. Increasing local licensing schemes
Landlords may need to comply with more local licensing schemes in 2022.
You already need a licence if you let Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Some councils also require landlords with other types of property to get a licence in certain areas.
Although a government review of selective licensing found some issues with the system, it supported its use.
Since the review, more local authorities have introduced additional licensing schemes. This trend is expected to continue in 2022.
You can see details of the government review here.
10. Licensing for short-term lets in Scotland
Councils in Scotland will be given new powers to ensure short-term lets are safe and meet the needs of local communities.
Landlords will need to get a licence for properties let on a short-term basis, such as through platforms like Airbnb.
The legislation has been laid before the Scottish Parliament, and local councils have to draw up licensing schemes by October 2022.
Existing landlords would then have until April 2023 to apply for a licence for each property they operate.
All short-term lets will need licences by July 2024.
What's happening in the rental market?
The rental market ended 2021 on a high note. Our latest Rental Market Report showed rent increases were at a 13-year high.
The jump was driven by rising demand from renters, as people returned to the central zones of major cities.
There were also too few properties to meet this higher demand.
This momentum looks set to continue in 2022 with demand expected to stay strong.
Rents across the UK, excluding London, are likely to rise by 4.5% in 2022.
Rents in London are likely to rise by 3.5% to exceed their pre-pandemic levels.
You can find further details in our report here.