How to Prepare for The Tenant Fees Ban: Guide and Quiz

Landlords and property professionals get ready!

Thanks to the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act on 1st June, you’re likely to see an influx of tenants looking to benefit from this ban on tenant fees.

Recommendations from No Letting Go have recently been featured in the Property Reporter, exploring the impact of this upcoming ban on tenant activity and how landlords and property professionals can get prepared.

Read on to find out how to prepare for the tenant fees ban with our handy quiz and guide.

What is the Tenant Fees Act 2019?

The Act sets out new rules and standards for landlords and letting agents, banning several upfront fees.

This ban includes the following:

• Security deposits must not exceed the cost of five weeks rent
• Holding deposits must not exceed one weeks rent (and should be refundable to the tenant)
• The fee to change a tenancy will be capped at £50

Any breaches to these new standards could result in hefty financial penalties from the enforcement authorities, and landlords will be unable to seize possession of a property through section 21 notices until they have repaid these charges.

When is the Tenant Fee Ban Coming In?

The Tenant Fees Bill was first proposed by the government in 2017 with the aim of making renting more affordable for tenants.

The Tenant Fee Act comes into force on 1 June 2019 from which date landlords and lettings agents will no longer be allowed to charge fees as described above.

Tenant Fee Ban Update: Impact on Tenant Activity

Research from the Deposit Protection Service (DPS) identified a lull in rental activity during the first quarter of 2019 which they attribute to tenants delaying moving until this ban becomes law on 1st June.

According to Nick Lyons, No Letting Go’s CEO;

“It’s no surprise to see shrewd tenants delaying moves until after the fees ban and deposit caps are introduced on 1st June. The upfront cost of moving between rental homes can be high – particularly in London and the South East – so renters will do anything they can to keep costs down, even if that means putting their move on hold for a few months.”

The Impact on the Private Rented Sector

With potential tenants waiting to make their move, landlords and property professionals will need to prepare for a surge in activity after 1st June.

It’s likely that tenants have continued their property search over the last few months and will be ready to begin the rental process as soon as the ban is in place.

This swell in tenants could be an exciting time for landlords and property professionals, with lots of potential profits on the horizon. The better prepared you are as a landlord to take this on, the more you can benefit from this demand.

How to Prepare for the Tenant Fees Act

The first thing you can do as a landlord or property professional is to ensure you are fully aware of the details of the ban and which fees are prohibited payments.

The Tenant Fees Act Quiz

Here at No Letting Go, we’ve put together a useful quiz including all the important points you need to remember about the upcoming Act.

This short, multiple choice quiz consists of 15 questions encompassing everything from tenancy deposits to permitted payments.

Another way to stay ahead of the curve is to outsource important reporting and services to the experts.

The Importance of Professional Inventories

With deposits being capped at five weeks rent, landlords and letting agents will need to take extra precautions when it comes to protecting their rental properties.

If you own property in locations such as London or the South East, this change could make a difference to the amount of deposit you can ask tenants to pay. To compensate, having a comprehensive inventory in place can help when it comes to making deposit deductions.

No Letting Go provide independent inventory reports detailing the condition and contents of your property at the start and end of the tenancy. Using the latest software, the report contains extensive written and photographic evidence in addition to meter readings and safety compliance checks.

The benefit of investing in a professional inventory service is that an unbiased account can help prevent and resolve any conflicts that may arise.

For lettings agents, partnering with us could save time and money at what looks set to be a busy period this June. Outsourcing this administrative work will free up time to provide a personalised service to your clients.

Get Prepared with No Letting Go

To ensure you have everything in place before 1st June, it’s best to start preparing now. Once you’ve got clued up and taken our quiz, it’s time to think about streamlining your workload.

No Letting Go provides services encompassing everything from right to rent checks and house viewings to unbiased property inventory reports.

Browse our full list of services here to find out how we can help you navigate this transition.