LANDLORDS MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD TODAY

Melanie Estates is calling all student landlords to make their voice's heard by contacting their local MP. If you live in the Norwich constituency, the Clive Lewis is your MP. MPs can then raise the issue with the government.

As part of our ongoing changes in preparation for the Renters’ Right Bill, we are suggesting  a change of  the tenancy  agreement to lease document.

We felt it was necessary to offer this suggestion, particularly for the student market who are setting up agreements now that may commence after the Renters’ Rights Act is most likely fully in force. Therefore, whilst we feel it is essential to consider changing the Agreement to Lease for student lettings, it makes sense to update it now for use in any situation up to the coming into force.

Signing a 2025 student tenancy agreement now may cause a problem as it may be an offence by Autumn 2025 to have a signed a fixed term tenancy to start in the new academic year after the legislation comes into force.

There is a possibility that there may be a change in the proposed legislation permitting fixed term tenancies for student lets but we would not advise holding your breath on this point. This, will require much lobbying and writing to local MPs to raise concerns around the issue in order for the Government to give this further consideration.  We are calling on all Norwich  landlord to act now by contacting Clive Lewis Norwich MP through Clive Lewis highlighting the impact of not permitting fixed tenancies  for students lets, the impact this will have for both students and landlords that need the security of tenure and peace of mind for the academic year and landlords who have mortgage commitments and their investments to plan.

We suggest that the students are asked to just sign the agreement to lease now and wait until the Spring for the tenancy (the tenancy cannot take effect until they take possession anyway). If students are asked to sign a tenancy now which includes a fixed term and then the law changes before the start of the tenancy then you would need to get them all to sign a new agreement, something they may be less willing to do if they have already signed a tenancy.

Agents could try and amend their agreements for the new rules (like making them periodic) and hope it matches the new law, but you would risk a requirement to get new agreements signed once the new rules become clear, so why bother.

The Agreement to Lease will be updated along with all other documents for Renters’ Rights. In the meantime we suggest a small change to the last sentence of the introductory paragraph to read:

"Where the law requires it, the tenancy deposit will then need to comply with this legislation."

For more details on how to contact your local MP please visit: Contact your MP - UK Parliament  if you Live in the Norwich constituency please you can contact Clive Lewis here: Contact Clive - Clive Lewis

To find our more about how the renters reform bill will affect you as a landlord, please call 01603444251 or book your free no obligation consultation with our Senior Property Manager, Abbie Matthews (CeLAP)