20th
Sep 2023
The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed to PRS landlords that it will be launching a newly updated How to Rent Guide early next month.
Landlords will have to provide tenants with the new version of the guide at the start of a new tenancy and tenancy renewals which is all part and parcel of the regulated prescribed information that all landlords in the sector must provide to their tenants.
Failure to do so means they will not be allowed to issue Section 21 notices or be able to repossess their properties by any other means when the 21 ban comes into force.
The latest version will include further details of the highly debatable Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service which supersedes the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme in giving tenants legal support if in danger of losing their home.
The service provides, free of charge, early legal advice to those facing possession proceedings and at risk of being made homeless. The service also provides advice and help for Housing, Debt and Welfare Benefits issues.
The most contentious assistance from the HLPAS is what is referred to as ’In Court Duty’ with free legal support on the day of repossession proceedings in court.
The new scheme will extend the Legal Aid Agency’s court duty scheme to include early legal advice on welfare benefits, housing and debt to tenants as soon as they receive a notice to repossess, and is non- merits and non-means tested.
A government statement says: “The service enables anyone at risk of losing their home or facing possession proceedings to get free legal advice, and representation in court, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
The government has stated the new version will be uploaded on gov.uk Monday October 2nd which is the second update so far this year.
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