The Deregulation Act 2015 came into effect on 1 October 2015. The Act contained a number of changes to the legal requirements for landlords of residential property. Sections 33 – 40 of the Act (which include the provisions for the prevention of retaliatory evictions and the requirement for the use of prescribed form of “s.21 notices”) applied only to assured shorthold tenancies granted on or after 1 October 2015. However, from 1 October 2018, there will be a significant change and sections 33 – 40 will apply to all assured shorthold tenancies, with a few exceptions (for instance there is still no requirement for the provision of “How to Rent” guides for pre-October 2015 tenancies).

 

The provisions and their applicability are complex and it is expected that many landlords may be caught out. Landlords and agents are therefore advised to seek advice regarding their pre-October 2015 tenancies to determine what steps, if any, are required as a result of the change in the law.