Are you dealing with Investors and buy-to-let customers? If so, you will know this has provided regular work over several years to property lawyers. If not , it is time for you to consider doing so.

The law has  dramatically changed  under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004. If you or your customers make a mistake or get it wrong they may face hefty fines up to 3 times the passing rent and even imprisonment.

The Main areas to be considered are  :

• Energy Performance Certificates – Are you aware of the new regulations?
• How much do you know about Houses of Multiple (HMO’s) and the new licensing regime? Do you know  the implications and challenges that face your customers?
• What about the new Housing Health and Safety Rating System -how is your knowledge on this and do you know the implications of non-compliance
• What are the statutory obligations on electric and gas equipment? Do you know what certificates are required and the penalties for failure to comply
• How is your knowledge on the Tenancy Deposit Schemes? Who operates them ,what is the system of regulation? How is compliance including the fines for failure to comply regulated?
• Do you know the required periods of notice and what happens if you fail to provide  the relevant notice within the prescribed period?
• Avoid being caught by unfair tenancy terms – how to ensure you do not get caught by these
• How to deal with  problem tenants -What you can and can’t do
• Do you know the rules about extending a Long Lease or purchasing the freehold (Enfranchisement)together with the  implications and what you need to know  to avoid costly claims
• Are you proposing to Buy a block of flats? What you have to know in dealing with managing agents, acquiring the freehold , challenging service charges and rights to manage
• What are the Tax provisions? – fundamentals you must know in order to avoid costly mistakes
• What financial and other packages are available for purchasing property?
• How to legally increase rents!

I am sure that those of you reading this will have as many questions as I have raised above and if you answer no to any of the issues above please feel free to contact  me as we do know the answers.

Looking forward to chatting again soon and by the way I have not forgotten that I promised to provide information on how to choose an estate agent. This will be a series of posts so keep watching