Renters' Rights Bill - Will it screw me over?

saajan_12

Eliza_2 said:

Can I just check this?  I've read that it will become illegal for landlords to demand a year/6 months/ whatever rent in advance but cant see anywhere that says tenants can't offer this.  I'm looking at renting a house and would like to pay a year ahead both to help the landlord out with the cost of some improvements she wants to do (and which will benefit me) and secure it for myself.  Would it be illegal for landlords to accept this deal as it feels like a win/win all round?  

Yes, illegal for the LL to accept a penny more than the first month upfront. 
Yes the new bill is often going to be lose/lose. 

Section62

Eliza_2 said:

Can I just check this?  I've read that it will become illegal for landlords to demand a year/6 months/ whatever rent in advance but cant see anywhere that says tenants can't offer this.  I'm looking at renting a house and would like to pay a year ahead both to help the landlord out with the cost of some improvements she wants to do (and which will benefit me) and secure it for myself.  Would it be illegal for landlords to accept this deal as it feels like a win/win all round?  

The bits in bold means the landlord wouldn't be allowed to accept any offer made (over and above 1 month/28 days) -

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-bill/82ffc7fb-64b0-4af5-a72e-c24701a5f12a#rent-in-advance

"Once enacted, the Renters’ Rights Bill will amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to prohibit landlords or letting agents from requiring or accepting any payment of rent in advance of the tenancy being entered into...[]...The Renters’ Rights Bill will also amend the Housing Act 1988 to provide that, once a tenancy starts, a landlord will be unable to enforce any terms in a tenancy agreement that require rent to be paid in advance of the agreed due date."

Eliza_2

Thank you - and thank you for the link.  Looks as though the original poster and I should get in quick!