Are you considering buying to let? Here’s what you need to know

Many Landlords don’t realise that they have responsibilities towards their tenants until they end up in hot water. If you’re a first time landlord, or are considering becoming a landlord, we can help you get up and running and make sure you stay on the right side of the law.

It is essential for all landlords to provide new tenants with a clear and comprehensive tenancy agreement. This should clarify how and when the rent is paid, whether pets are allowed, whether smoking is allowed, whether the tenant is allowed to decorate etc. Tenancy agreement should be tailored to meet your needs. To help you get up and running we can draft your tenancy agreements for you to make sure that you are fully protected and your tenant knows where they stand. A good tenancy agreement will help to avoid problems further down the line.

Many landlords will ask a new tenant to provide a deposit. But did you know that there a complex rules about how you must protect that deposit? There are significant penalties for landlords who do not protect their tenant’s deposits, and we can offer you comprehensive advice about this to ensure that you do not get stung by complex regulations. Protecting the deposit is vital, as an unprotected deposit gives a tenant the right to defend any subsequent possession proceedings or even use the unprotected deposit as a defence to any claim for rent arrears. Getting it right is essential.

We can provide you with ongoing support during the tenancy and help you resolve any disputes that arise. If your tenant refuses to pay their rent, damages your property, or even makes a court claim against you for not maintaining the property our specialist team can help you resolve things swiftly and effectively.

At the end of the tenancy, you can’t simply change the locks if the tenant doesn’t leave as you need a possession order first. Changing the locks or preventing your tenant from returning when they haven’t returned the keys, whether the tenancy has expired or not, can amount to an illegal eviction – giving your tenant the right to bring a claim for injunctive relief (to be back in the property), compensation and costs. Mistakes can be costly – so get it right and avoid the headaches!

If you’re a landlord it’s important to get sound advice. At David Gray Solicitors, we know that landlords want to be able to let their property with the minimum fuss but maximum protection for when things do go wrong. We offer fixed price services to landlords, including the preparation of a tenancy agreement or drafting and serving appropriate notices to terminate the tenancy for £200 + VAT. Getting it right to start with can not only save headaches down the line but also hundreds of pounds in court disputes!