Attention Landlords - New Version of How to Rent Guide Released!

This morning the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) released an updated version of the How to Rent guide. This is one of the prescribed documents that landlords, and agents, need to issue pre-tenancy and on renewal in England.

Any tenants whose tenancies commence from today, Monday 2 October 2023, must be provided with the new guide.

Since October 2015 all tenants of an assured shorthold tenancy must be given a copy of the Government guide 'How to Rent' before the tenancy commences.

The copy given to the tenants must be the current version at the time of the commencement of the tenancy.  They can be given a hard copy or digital copy (if they have agreed to receive electronic documents).

There is no requirement to supply a new copy of the guide each time the document is updated.  However, should the tenancy be renewed and there has been a new issue of the guide published then the tenants must be provided with a copy of the updated guide.

You cannot serve a section 21 possession notice if you have not given the tenant a copy of the correct How to Rent guide or if you have not provided updated versions upon renewal (if applicable).

If you are in any doubt about whether you have given the correct version of the How to Rent guide please do not hesitate to call us and we can advise of the release dates of previous versions.