{"id":280266,"date":"2025-06-07T23:07:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T23:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/business\/real-estate\/landlord-law-newsround-390-the-landlord-law-blog\/"},"modified":"2025-06-07T23:07:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T23:07:33","slug":"landlord-law-newsround-390-the-landlord-law-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=280266","title":{"rendered":"Landlord Law Newsround #390 \u00bb The Landlord Law Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"\"Welcome to our first Newsround for June, let\u2019s take a look at what has been in the housing news headlines this week.<\/p>\n

Fire risk warning for kitchen appliances<\/h2>\n

Air fryers have been in the news this week for being a potential fire hazard if not used correctly and if left unattended.<\/p>\n

This is not good news for landlords who need to protect their rental homes from unnecessary fires and ensure that they are complying fully to their insurance policies to maintain their cover.<\/p>\n

A recent incident with an air fryer caused \u00a380,000 worth of damage for one landlord. Insurance company Aviva states that one in five adults have \u2018encountered potential or actual fire hazards from air fryers\u2019, and the Home Office have said that there has been a 57% increase in air fryer related fires in England.<\/p>\n

Landlords need to warn their tenants of the potential hazards of air fryers offer some safety guidelines to protect both their tenants and their property. You can read some basic guidelines that are offered here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Beware WhatsApp message could create a contract<\/h2>\n

David Smith from Spector Constant & Williams solicitors this week warned landlords to be careful when messaging their tenants as what they say could create a contract after a ruling by a court stated that a WhatsApp exchange between a contractor and a developer discussing the pricing of a contract did form the basis of a contract.<\/p>\n

David Smith<\/a> warns that there have been other rulings of this type of informal exchange via WhatsApp messages and warns landlords to be very careful when messaging tenants and be clear that \u2018any agreement is pending a full written contract\u2019. This will become more imperative once the Renters Rights Bill becomes law, as this will let tenants give notice by any means if it is in writing.<\/p>\n

He says<\/p>\n

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I have been concerned that this would include notice by WhatsApp. The fact that the courts will accept a contract being formed by WhatsApp increases my concern that they will also accept a notice being given in the same way.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This could also prove tricky for letting agents who use WhatsApp messages with various members of their staff and many different tenants. Messages might not get dealt with immediately or left unanswered.<\/p>\n

New EPC ratings coming into force in June<\/h2>\n

New rules on the accuracy of EPC\u2019s and how they are assessed are due to come into force this month.\u00a0 Landlords, be warned that it will be underpinned by paperwork evidence.\u00a0 So keeping all your records and receipts will be key.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, with no documentary evidence that you have improved your property, the system\u2019s efficiency could be rated lower, which could impact the EPC rating.\u00a0 For example, see our post here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Properymark<\/a> says specific information will now be collected, such as the condition of glazing, heating systems efficiency based on evidence on model numbers and manufacturer data and home improvements such as insulation will only be included if evidence is supplied. Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) will calculate more precise floor area calculations and insulation levels giving a more accurate reading of how heat is retained and energy is used.<\/p>\n

Propertymark says<\/p>\n

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Going forward, accurate records and receipts will be critical\u2014especially for insulation, heating upgrades and double glazing. EPC ratings might initially drop if no evidence is provided, even if improvements have been made, so having a clear paper trail can protect property owners from unnecessary retrofit costs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This comes in hand with the government\u2019s ambitious future plans to totally re-vamp the EPC structure as we see in the article below.<\/p>\n

Governments\u2019 EPC targets \u2018unrealistic\u2019<\/h2>\n

The government\u2019s plans to improve the energy efficiency of properties in the private rental sector to an EPC rating of C or above have been classed as \u2018unachievable\u2019 and could result in 2.5m homes in the PRS having less than two years to comply, according to the National Residential Landlords Association.<\/p>\n

The timescale that the government has proposed is for new tenancies to be EPC C by 2028 and existing tenancies by 2030. With a national shortage of tradespeople to carry to the upgrade work and any government funding yet to be announced, the NRLA is suggesting a two-stage implementation plan:<\/p>\n