More than 100 landlords from Essex and Suffolk attended a briefing on the Renters’ Rights Act amid concerns about complying with the new requirements.
The webinar, held by estate and lettings agency Boydens, focused on changes affecting the private rented sector, including the move to rolling periodic tenancies, the abolition of Section 21 evictions, restrictions on rental bidding and changes to rent increases.
Boydens said landlords at the event raised concerns about compliance and the process for recovering possession of a property when problems arise.
Insurance, covering issues such as lost rental income, court costs and the time involved in possession proceedings, was also discussed.
Philip Boyden, managing director of Boydens, said: “We had 110 landlords attend the webinar, a huge number for this time of year.
“What was clear from the discussions was the nervousness many landlords still have about the changes, particularly around meeting the increased levels of compliance introduced through the act.
“Areas of concern included the process regarding getting a property back if something wrong has happened and the steps landlords can take with insurance to mitigate for the likes of loss of rental income and court costs and time.”
The briefing was run by Boyden and Paul Buck, the agency’s director of sales and lettings.
Boydens, which has offices in Colchester, Kelvedon, Frinton-on-Sea and Sudbury, said its landlord teams had experienced increased demand for help with the new requirements.
Boyden added: “Our landlord team across our offices in Essex and Suffolk have never been as busy as they are now, helping our landlord clients meet the new requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act.
“For those with the right processes and systems in place, the landlord sector can still deliver extremely profitable portfolios.”
