
A property expert has warned landlords and letting agents to beware the self-appointed experts spreading disinformation and phantom rumours about the Renters’ Rights Act.
Head of redress for Property Redress, Sean Hooker, believes that mistakes and misunderstandings about laws and regulations in the property world will only increase now the new Act has become law.

“It’s appropriate at Halloween to highlight the phantasma of dangerous knowledge that is flooding social media,” says Hooker. “The industry has to face this change with an informed and rational approach and this needs reliable and credible information in order to make the correct decisions.”
While the sector waits for core guidance and a timetable for the various parts of the Act coming into force, Hooker explains that there will be changes and adaptations made to the legislation as it is rolled out, tested in court, and the provisions interpreted in the real world.
“As with any legislation it is a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster and will have teething problems,” he adds. “What is real however is the penalties, fines and rent repayment powers conferred on local authorities, that could literally suck the life from a lettings business, as easily as Buffy the Vampire gets a fix of blood.”
He stressed the importance of sourcing training and knowledge from established and trusted sources rather than relying on advice from online chat rooms, comments on media sites or a quick search using AI.
“These are starting points, but just because they are free, does not mean they are right.”
Hooker is hosting a special LandlordZONE webinar along with Tim Frome of HFIS and former practising lawyer, landlord and author, Patricia Ogunfeibo, looking at the changes in detail.
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