Most landlords unaware of new register and ombudsman

More than three quarter of landlords are unaware of the new register being rolled out from later this year.

Only 23% of property owners said they knew about a requirement to register on the database under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Awareness of the new landlord ombudsman is similarly low, according to a survey by property management platform August.

From December, the Government will roll out a planned database with each region in England given a deadline for landlords to register.

The cost of the registration will come in at £65 per property, which soon adds up for landlords with larger portfolios.

That is a communication failure the sector needs to fix before the registration deadline.”

Richard Samuel, Chief Executive at August (pictured), says: “Landlords have done the hard work of understanding the parts of the Act that change how they let and how they evict.

“What has not landed is that the database and the ombudsman are not optional extras for problem landlords; every landlord in England will have to register and sign up.

“That is a communication failure the sector needs to fix before the registration deadline”.

Most familiar

Landlords quizzed in the survey were most familiar with the right of tenants to request a pet – 59% -, and the rule that rent can only be increased once a year, 55%.

Around half knew that landlords cannot refuse tenants with children or on benefits, that all new tenancies are periodic, and that Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished.

Fewer – 42% – knew that no more than one month’s rent can be taken in advance.

Vicki Hextall, Area Manager at East Midlands Property Owners (EMPO), says: “Most landlords have made a real effort to understand the Renters’ Rights Act.

“The fact that so many have tightened their referencing shows they are trying to reduce risk rather than walk away.

“But the low awareness of the landlord database and ombudsman is a warning.”