UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi there.
I have asked this before but just wondered if anyone has had any new experience with tenant referencing companies.
I have used tenant verify in the past and they were good but I thought that there report was lacking in information.
I have heard that open rent are quite good.

Any other companies that people have used that they would recommend??

on another question.
I have read a bit on this but just wanted to ask the world.
I have a EPC that runs out next year.
Do you have to renew it when the tenants are in it already or can you wait till they move out and then get another one done when you show the new tenants around?

As always thanks for your help.

I used open rent, similar results to tenant verify though.  Not sure how much more detail could be provided as they're quite factual in content.

A quick research points to an EPC only being required at point of marketing.

regarding the EPC. Yeah that is what I thought. Just making sure with you guys that know.

Riptide is correct in that for now the EPC is only required when you show new tenants around.
However there is a trap coming in 2018 and given EPCs came out in 2008 and were valid for 10 years a few may fall into the trap.

The Deregulation Act 2015 "Act" s41(3) means that all the PI requirements for a valid s21 that really only applied to new tenancies from Oct 2015 will also apply to existing tenancies.  Which likely means (and of course yet to be tested) that in order for you to serve a valid s21 you will need to comply with all the requirements of The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Notices and Prescribed Requirements (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1725) - "Regs". 

There is a bit of a conflict between the Act and Regs as to whether they apply to a statutory periodic tenancy created from an AST starting before Oct 2015 but likely the regas will get tweaked.

But in short you will need to have a valid EPC (amongst other things) given to the tenant in order to serve a valid s21.
(what the point is in serving things like the EPC and How to Rent Guide to an existing tenant is so far beyond stupid it beggars belief but unless things are clarified that is what will be required)

This will catch out two categories of landlord (ignoring those flagrantly in breach):
1. Those that have the same tenant since 2008 and never needed to serve an EPC before
2. Those whose EPC expires in Oct 2018 and incorrectly think if their tenant is in place they dont need a new EPC until the tenant moves out e.g Paulaa (?)

Not an issue to be concerned about for £45 ........just dont forget to get one and give it to your tenant or keep an eye out for developments.

Sorry for missing this reply. Thank you the angrylandlord.
Wow yes I didn't know that part of it so that is very helpful. Thanks for the information. Ill make a note of that one then. Ill get it renewed when it runs out.
God they are always trying to get as much money out of us as possible.

You also mentioned (amongst other things) in the wording for the serving of the section 21.
Anything that is new and that I might not know.
Thanks again for your help landlords. I do appreciate it.
I find this site a great asset.