A new How To Rent guide has been released today by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Trade bodies were originally told earlier this month that the new guide would be released a week ago but the DLUHC made it known on that day that there was a shift to March 24.

The National Residential Landlords Association says that private landlords MUST serve the latest version of the guide at the start of any new tenancy and on renewal if there has been an update to the contents of the guide.

It forms part of the prescribed information landlords must issue, and if they do not, they lose the right to repossess using Section 21.

The NRLA says the update released today includes the requirement for carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted in every room with a fixed fuel-burning appliance, and the requirement for EICRs must be provided to the tenants.

In addition, it also contains information on fitting smart meters and there is a section in the guide on ensuring the property is suitable if you have a disability.

The new release, out today, can be found here.

An archive of all previous editions of the How to Rent guides is available via the NRLA website and the new guide is available on Gov.UK.