The government has indicated that the delayed publication of the latest How To Rent document is to be Friday March 24.

The How to Rent Guide is the checklist for renting in England and must be issued by both letting agents and landlords to new tenants or those renewing. 

It is vital that agents and landlords issue the correct and current version of the How to Rent guide as a failure to do so before the tenants move in can invalidate a Section 21 notice used to regain possession.

Originally the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had told trade bodies that the new edition would be released last week.

Propertymark says it has long held the belief that the How to Rent Guide should be reviewed and republished by the UK Government annually to ensure the sector knows when an updated version will be released.

Knowledge of when an updated guide takes place and a lead in time to inform agents is vitally important. 

Many agents don’t send hard copies but have the guide loaded into their IT systems and databases, so it is emailed out to tenants. Therefore, in order to not fall foul of the requirements to serve the latest version, knowledge of when an updated guide would be published is extremely useful.

Propertymark has worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the changes and we are pleased that advance communications and dates have be made clear to the sector.

The new version of the guide includes small revisions such as updated information on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and changes to the Code of Practice on Right to Rent Civil Penalty Scheme for landlords and their agents.

It also contains information on fitting smart meters and ensuring the property is suitable if you have a disability.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, says: “The How to Rent Guide is an important document, and we are pleased to have worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the revisions and release date. 

“It is vital that agents operating in England are aware of the updated version and the implications on the tenancies they manage. The latest version must be provided to tenants for new tenancies and renewals although it is advisable to provide the updated version to tenants in ongoing tenancies.”