2016 will see a raft of changes introduced to lettings legislation. Make sure you’re in the loop, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant...

2015 saw many changes in legislation affecting lettings and the lettings industry in England. These have included, but are not confined to, The Deregulation Act and the rules attached to serving a Section 21 Notice; Rules which counteract Retaliatory Eviction; new legislation concerning the installation and maintenance of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors; new corporate and trust landlord’s process under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

2016 will see another raft of changes due to be introduced to lettings legislation.

To name but a few, this has already included changes to the Immigration Act, which came into force on 1 February whereby every adult occupant of a property must undergo Right to Rent checks. From April, wear and tear allowances will be abolished and the stamp duty threshold on buy to let will increase by an additional 3%; there will also be further changes to Capital Gains Tax. It is also likely the Housing and Planning Bill, which will focus on putting further restrictions on landlords and agents, will be enforced this year.

Bernadette Oliver, Head of Savills Harpenden Lettings, comments: “A magnitude of change can be incredibly daunting for the public, especially for landlords and it is further evidence of the growing importance to use an ARLA accredited agent, such as Savills.”