New landlord- are any books recommended reading?

[icrecruitment@yahoo.co.uk]

Are there any definitive books on renting and leasing?
Ive seen a few including Which? guide.

Are there any decisive ones which Ive missed?

Cheers.

[Editor]

Take a look at the books section on the LandlordZONE site - all the main ones are listed here: http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/books/books.htm

I happen to think "Renting Out Your Property for Dummies" is one of the best and most comprehensive for Residential lettings - despite its corny title! It's based on years of practical letting experience both in US & UK. I technically edited this for Wiley & Sons when Meleanie Bien did the US to UK re-write.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764570161/landlordzone-21/202-1328318-9703067

As you say, the Which Guide to Renting and Letting is also very good - perhaps more comprehenisive on the legal side, but not as good on the basic practicalites and letting tips.

All the main commercial property letting books are listed on the site.

[teflsue]

I've been letting property for 6 years now and realise that I have just been darned lucky. Am now facing lots of problems and realise I've been making mistakes right left and centre. Can anyone recommend a really good book that covers it all. I've been recommended to issue S8's and S21's, but have no idea how or where to get them etc etc. I also have a weekly paying tenant about to move in and not really sure how that differs, but really just want a bit of confidence in myself and what I do. I know everything ends with the caveat 'seek a solicitors advice' but I'd rather have a really good idea of the basics before seeking advice from a solicitor and avoid that if at all possible. Thanks.

[mind the gap]

I've been letting property for 6 years now and realise that I have just been darned lucky. Am now facing lots of problems and realise I've been making mistakes right left and centre. Can anyone recommend a really good book that covers it all. I've been recommended to issue S8's and S21's, but have no idea how or where to get them etc etc. I also have a weekly paying tenant about to move in and not really sure how that differs, but really just want a bit of confidence in myself and what I do. I know everything ends with the caveat 'seek a solicitors advice' but I'd rather have a really good idea of the basics before seeking advice from a solicitor and avoid that if at all possible. Thanks.

Don't know any books.

Some advice (if you aren't already aware of it)

1. Get a gas safety certificate annually for each property
2. Protect AST tenancy deposits in a scheme and supply tenants with details
3. Don't enter the tenant's home without their permission, whatever your tennacy agreement says
4. Spend a week reading this forum - it will teach you more than any one book on the subject!

You can download profromas for most notices from the Agreements section of this site.

[Lawcruncher]

A very good book for the basics is The Which? Guide to Renting and Letting. No landlord should be without a copy.

[Ericthelobster]

A very good book for the basics is The Which? Guide to Renting and Letting. No landlord should be without a copy.Thanks, just scored myself a second-hand copy on Amazon for (gasp) £3 delivered!

I've got Renting Out Your Property for Dummies, which I find pretty good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Renting-Out-Your-Property-Dummies/dp/0470029218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240736716&sr=8-1

[Preston]

Thanks, just scored myself a second-hand copy on Amazon for (gasp) £3 delivered!

I've got Renting Out Your Property for Dummies, which I find pretty good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Renting-Out-Your-Property-Dummies/dp/0470029218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240736716&sr=8-1

Hi

Another one to add to the landlord's "must have" list of books is Defending Possession Proceedings by Nick Madge et al, published by the Legal Action Group. I think it costs around £30. One of the authors, Jan Luba, is generally recognised as (probably) the leading QC on housing law issues. The book will be one of the main sources of reference in every CAB and Shelter housing aid office in the country. And interestingly, every county court is advised to have a copy available for the judge in possession cases.

Clearly it focuses on possession issues, although that necessarily includes a good coverage of such issues as disrepair (because this can be a basis for counter claim). If you are interested in a more comprehensive (if a bit technical) guide, but one which also covers the basics, then try:

A practical approach to Landlord and Tenant by Simon Garner and Alexandra Frith, published by the Oxford University Press.

Its advertised on this site and costs about £35 from Amazon I think. Its not an easy read but is very comprehensive.

Preston

[teflsue]

thank you all so much. You must all be up early on a Sunday as I posted these all late last night! Kudos to you all.
Cheers. What a fab site this is.

[agent46]

Hi

Another one to add to the landlord's "must have" list of books is Defending Possession Proceedings by Nick Madge et al, published by the Legal Action Group. I think it costs around £30. One of the authors, Jan Luba, is generally recognised as (probably) the leading QC on housing law issues. The book will be one of the main sources of reference in every CAB and Shelter housing aid office in the country. And interestingly, every county court is advised to have a copy available for the judge in possession cases.



DPP is a great resource, but it is quite pricey. Also, it's more of a "how not to do it" than a guide to good practice. That's not intended as a criticism BTW, as it is not written as a property management manual.

Another good legal resource is Garden Court's (a set of barristers' chambers) housing law email bulletin. It's sent out about once a fortnight and has short summaries of and commentaries on the latest cases in the field. Most of them tend to be about social housing issues, and so have limited relevance to private lettings, but relevant cases (especially on disrepair) do appear in the bulletin. You could also do worse that popping Gary Webber's http://www.propertylawuk.net/ into your list of favourites.



... Jan Luba, is generally recognised as (probably) the leading QC on housing law issues.

I think Andrew Arden QC might disagree with that statement.

[Preston]

I think Andrew Arden QC might disagree with that statement.

Yes, I might possibly have pre-empted the succession by a little while. Whatever their relative standing, they are clearly both very eminent in their field.

[theartfullodger]

"How to avoid Property Tax" Carl bayley - amazon etc..

[rockinter]

Hi,
I am newbie to this letting stuff. I have been reading through the previous posts and it seems like tenants are a nightmare if you get the wrong type, basically people are stuck with them till they leave on their own accord or your bribe them. Also people have talked about section 21 but that seems a very long process.

I was wondering are there any books people would reccommend to a newbie on letting?
Also what advice would you give them or things to be caution about ?

thanks in advance
keep up the good work.

[Moderator1]

Three threads on the same topic have been merged here.

[Ericthelobster]

I have been reading through the previous posts and it seems like tenants are a nightmare if you get the wrong type, basically people are stuck with them till they leave on their own accord or your bribe them.Or better, you repossess the property through proper legal channels.


Also people have talked about section 21 but that seems a very long processThat is indeed one of the options, but is preferable to just hoping a bad tenant will just 'leave on their own accord'.


I was wondering are there any books people would reccommend to a newbie on letting?Your post has been merged with other 'newbie' ones.... look back earlier in the same thread for lots of good suggestions.

[westminster]

Make sure you get an up to date edition of whatever you buy, no earlier than 2008, because laws can change quite frequently. (For example, the threshold for ASTs is about to rise on 1st October, and no existing book is going to include this information - this forum is a good way to keep up with the latest changes).

I haven't read it but I see there is one by Tessa Shepperson who writes the Landlord Law Blog (http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/) (which I do read). It's called The Complete Guide to Residential Letting: The Smart Landlord's Guide to Renting Out Property

[sweet_f_a]

"How to avoid Property Tax" Carl bayley - amazon etc..

Seconded. I red that cover to cover in about 16 hours before I bought my first place. Changed the way I was going to do a few things-best value for my money ever I think!

And these forums are even better value. I spend a few hours a week reading here-my wife rolls her eyes every time, but you learn a lot from other people's experiences. I think it's helped me not make mistakes.

[Ericthelobster]

And these forums are even better value. I spend a few hours a week reading here-my wife rolls her eyes every time.Oh, tell me about it... "SadGit-Dot-Com" as Mrs Lobster affectionately terms it.

[sweet_f_a]

Oh, tell me about it... "SadGit-Dot-Com" as Mrs Lobster affectionately terms it.

In my house it's "not that landlord website again". :)