A new proptech platform for landlords is warning that many are simply not ready for this week’s Renters’ Rights Act deadline.

The primary failing according to LeaseSafe is that landlords are not ensuring tenants are given the Information Sheet on the Act.

The sheet must be delivered to tenants before the last day of this month, and failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £7,000.

There are also problems with handling requests to keep a pet and reissuing Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices that no longer apply.

Exposed

Richard Offenbach, Founder of LeaseSafe, says: “The three patterns we keep seeing aren’t bad-faith landlords cutting corners. They’re good landlords applying the old playbook to a new framework.

“Pet requests handled by text, Information Sheets assumed to be the agent’s job, Section 21 notices in a holding pattern – all reasonable under the previous rules, all exposed under the new ones.”

Many landlords still believe the obligation to issue the Information Sheet sits with the letting agent rather than themselves, he says.

In the majority of agency arrangements it is not up to the agent – the obligation is on the landlord directly, and standard agent terms typically do not cover the new statutory requirement.

Stronger rights

Under the Act, renters now have strengthened rights to request to keep a pet, and landlords are not allowed to charge extra rent.

LeaseSafe launched this month, offering small portfolio landlords a compliance prompt service to ensure they don’t miss important requirements.

More on the Renters’ Rights Act