European Union rules may affect landlords

New proposals from the European Union could have an impact upon landlords in the buy-to-let sector, property experts have insisted.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has suggested that new legislation from the EU may result in expensive changes having to be made by landlords in the UK.

Directives are being examined by the EU that would enforce all residential landlords in member countries to make sure all rental homes comply with physical disability access regulations.

At the moment, rules state that only landlords with disabled tenants must provide suitable access facilities at their houses.

However, if the EU proposal is ratified, properties would need to update their accessibility even if they were being rented out to tenants without disabilities for long periods.

The RLA commented: "The British government will have some leeway when it comes to determining how and to what extent the European directive is implemented."

This is due to the proposals being directives, giving the UK flexibility on its interpretation of the rules.

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