x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Q&A: Why landlords now need to watch out when taking payments from tenants

As many of you already know, the ban on tenant fees will come into force on 1 June 2019, and the government will shortly be publishing guidance for tenants, landlords and letting agents to help explain how the legislation affects them.

In the meantime, David Leviten, partner in the property team, at Clough & Willis, explains why landlords now need to watch out when taking payments from tenants.

David, can you summarise the Landlords of the Tenants Fee Act 2019 which has just been passed?

Advertisement

The Act controls what payments a landlord or letting agent may require and will fundamentally alter what landlords can demand by way of payments from tenants. It is expected to commence on 1st June 2019 and will cover assured shorthold tenancies, licences (lodger lettings for example) and student lettings that are provided by a specified educational institution.

What is the biggest issue?

The starting point is to understand that all payments are essentially prohibited unless expressly “permitted” under the Act. For example, rent and deposits are permitted but even they have restrictions.  It’s not only an offence for a landlord or letting agent to require a prohibited payment but it’s also an offence for a landlord or letting agent to require a tenant to make a prohibited payment to a third party; for example, asking a tenant to pay directly to a referencing company.

What are the penalties?

The penalty for a first offence is up to £5,000. If a person commits a second offence within five years, a penalty of up to £30,000 is payable. Furthermore, a second offence is a banning order offence and - if enforced - would mean the landlord could be banned from letting again during the period of the banning order. Any financial penalty is on top of being required to repay any prohibited payments or holding deposit received.

What about for corporations?

If an offence is committed by a corporate body and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, an officer of a body corporate, the officer as well as the body corporate commits the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Are tenancy agreements entered into before 1st June 2019 included in the Act? 
Where a tenancy was granted before 1 June 2019, if any provision of the tenancy would be prohibited (had the tenancy been granted from 1 June 2019), the provision ceases to be binding on the tenant (or a relevant person) after one year from commencement of section 1 of the Act. However, the agreement continues, so far as practicable, to have effect in every other respect.

What will happen after 12 months?
If, after 1 June 2020, the landlord (or a letting agent) accepts a payment from a tenant pursuant to a prohibited provision, the landlord or letting agent must return the payment within 28 days otherwise they will be treated as having required the tenant to make a prohibited payment. There is no requirement for this repayment to be requested by the tenant (or other relevant person) so this is a strict time-limit and the landlord or agent must be proactive in returning the money. 

What permitted payments are landlords or letting agents allowed to receive? 
The permitted payments are contained in Schedule 1 of the Act. They are: rent, tenancy deposit, holding deposit, payment in the event of a default, payment on variation, assignment or novation of a tenancy, payment on termination of a tenancy, payment in respect of council tax, utilities, television licence and communication services. Each one has restrictions and limitations so should be carefully researched.

What would your advice be to landlords and letting agents?
The key thing is to review as a matter of urgency their standard letting agreements as many of the provisions contained will be illegal going forwarded if they are utilised as a means of demanding or taking payments from the tenant. A breach may well also impact on their ability to get tenants out at the end of the tenancies if the provisions are not met. 

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

  • icon
    • 08 May 2019 16:52 PM

    It is not possible to charge for sending out a late rent letter, interest for late rent can only be charged at 3% over Base Rate and only if rent is at least 14 days overdue. Miscalculate the interest and overcharge and if the tenant pays even a penny too much you are guilty. Even if you pay it back as soon as asked the breach has occurred and you could be fined. Let us hope Councils have better things to do than harass landlords for 50 pence but the Act is Draconian.

  • icon
    • 08 May 2019 17:02 PM

    There is NO breach of the TFB if a LL advises that for a tenant to be considered they will need to present a Tenant Referencing Passport to the LL.
    This is NOT a requirement.
    If they choose not to purchase their own TRP that would be THEIR choice.
    If they made that choice then the LL may make a business decision not to even consider that tenant.
    Of course if LL refuse to consider any tenant who doesn't have a TRP then it could be the LL has no tenant applicants!!
    Somehow I doubt that desperate tenants would baulk at paying a one of TRP fee of about £60pp valid for 3 months which could be used for any LA and LL.
    It would save LA and LL fortunes.
    So as a LL I will NEVER require my tenant applicants to purchase their own referencing.
    But if they don't I simply won't consider them.
    We'll see who blinks first!

icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up