On 20 December 2018 the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (“the 2018 Act”) was given royal assent and on 20 March 2019 it came into force. The 2018 Act amends the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”).
Essentially, fit for human habitation means that a dwelling must be safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm to a tenant. Accordingly, landlords, and letting agents acting on their behalf, will now be required by law to ensure that a rented home is fit for human habitation from the beginning and throughout the duration of the tenancy. This obligation cannot be avoided or contracted out of by the landlords.
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