Changes are coming – but we’re here to help you stay ahead
The Renters’ Rights Bill is set to shake up the private rental sector, bringing in the biggest set of changes we’ve seen in years.
If you’re a landlord in Taunton, you might be wondering what this all means for you. The good news? Most of these changes are already part of how we operate at Northwood Taunton. And for everything else, we’re here to support you.
No more ‘no fault’ evictions
Section 21 evictions – sometimes called ‘no fault’ notices – are being scrapped. Going forward, landlords will need to use Section 8, which sets out legal reasons you can ask a tenant to leave. These include selling your property, moving in yourself, or dealing with serious rent arrears.
At Northwood Taunton:
- Most of the notices we already serve are Section 8, so this change won’t disrupt our landlords
- We’ll make sure any notices are legally compliant and correctly served
- Our Rent & Legal Protection covers court costs and lost rent
End of fixed-term tenancies
All tenancies will become open-ended. That means tenants can give two months’ notice at any time – and landlords can’t serve notice in the first 12 months.
What this means for you:
In Taunton, we already see many tenants staying beyond their initial term. Most landlords value good, long-term tenants – and so do we.
We help you:
- Build strong landlord-tenant relationships
- Encourage loyalty through great service
- Attract reliable tenants with tailored marketing and thorough referencing
Rent arrears rule changes
To regain possession for rent arrears, the threshold is rising from two to three months’ unpaid rent.
Here’s our approach:
- We step in early if rent is missed
- You get real-time arrears alerts
- Our insurance options help protect your income and legal costs
Tenants can request pets
Tenants will now have the legal right to request a pet – and landlords can only say no if there’s a good reason, such as restrictions in a lease.
We’ll support you by:
- Updating tenancy agreements with clear pet clauses
- Helping you assess and respond to pet requests fairly
- Offering insurance that covers pet-related damage
Fairer access to housing
It will be illegal to turn away tenants purely because they receive benefits or have children. However, landlords can still rely on proper affordability checks.
We do this by:
- Looking at verified financial info for every applicant
- Giving you confidence in every letting decision
- Treating all tenants fairly and professionally
All landlords must join an ombudsman scheme
This new rule means landlords must be part of a formal complaints resolution service. If you’re using our Fully Managed Service, you’re already covered.
With Northwood Taunton:
- We handle tenant complaints so you don’t have to
- You’ll stay compliant without the paperwork
- We’ll keep you updated on everything
Faster repairs under ‘Awaab’s Law’
There are now strict new deadlines for dealing with health and safety issues:
- 14 days to investigate
- 7 days to fix
- 24 hours for emergencies
We stay ahead with:
- Routine inspections
- 24/7 maintenance reporting through an online portal
- Trusted local contractors who act fast
No more bidding wars
Homes must be listed at a fixed rent price – tenants can’t bid above the asking price. Rent in advance is also capped at one month.
Here’s how we help:
- We price your property using up-to-date market data
- We create clear, honest listings that meet the rules
- We handle all offers fairly and professionally
Why landlords in Taunton choose Northwood
As a Northwood office, we offer the backing of a national brand – but our day-to-day is proudly local. We know Taunton inside out, and we build strong relationships with landlords just like you.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Expert legal guidance through new regulations
- Transparent fees and reliable communication
- Lettings and management services designed to protect your time and income
- Optional Guaranteed Rent, paid on time every month – even if the tenant doesn’t
Ready for the Renters’ Rights Bill?
We are. Whether you let one property or ten, we’ll help you adjust to the new rules with confidence.
Start by booking a rental review or talking to our local lettings experts today.
