As the days get longer and the weather finally starts to improve, many of us turn our attention to a bit of spring cleaning. For private landlords, this is the perfect time to look beyond the gutters and the garden, and focus on something much more crucial: your tenancy paperwork.
If you rented your property out a few years ago and the tenancy has simply rolled on, it is easy to adopt an “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” mindset. However, while your tenant might be perfectly happy, housing law has not stood still.
The Danger of the “Bottom Drawer” Contract We see it all the time at Expert Landlord Solicitors. A landlord needs possession of their property, but they are relying on a free template agreement they downloaded from the internet years ago.
With the Renters’ Rights Act changes on the horizon, the courts are going to be scrutinising paperwork more strictly than ever. If your initial compliance was not handled correctly at the start of the tenancy, any Section 21 notice you serve could be deemed completely invalid. This leaves landlords legally stuck and facing wasted court fees.
Your 5-Minute Paperwork Audit Grab a cup of tea, pull out your current tenancy file, and ask yourself:
- The Agreement: Does your Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) contain outdated, unenforceable clauses? Old templates often include banned charges (like professional cleaning fees) which, if enforced or unlawfully deducted, can completely invalidate your right to serve a Section 21 notice under the Tenant Fees Act.
- The “How to Rent” Guide: Did you provide the tenant with the correct, active version of the government guide at the exact time the tenancy started or was renewed?
- The Certificates: Are your Gas Safety, EPC, and EICR certificates current, and do you have proof the tenant received them before moving in?
If you answered “no” or “I am not sure” to any of these, your property might be legally exposed.
Don’t Risk a DIY Eviction You do not have to wait until a problem spirals out of control to get legal clarity. If you have audited your paperwork and realised your documents are out of date, trying to serve a Section 21 or Section 8 notice yourself is incredibly risky. A single missing certificate or incorrect date can see your claim thrown out of court.
At Expert Landlord Solicitors, we offer comprehensive, fixed-fee possession services. We will review your current paperwork, spot the errors, and ensure your notices and claims are legally watertight before they go near a judge—with absolutely no hidden hourly rates.
Check our fixed prices and get your property back on track today: https://www.expertlandlordsolicitors.co.uk/services/
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