Resources Page
Welcome to the Resources page for our 2023 Landlords Legal Update email course.
There will be a resources section for each part of the course, which will go live on the day when the course email goes out.
The text in the boxes is mostly links – click them to be taken to the relevant page. They will usually open in a new window.
Background law
Free resources:
- The free Landlord Law tenancy trail will help you work out which tenancy type you have.
- The Landlord Law Quick Guide on Occupation Types (note that most of the content linked from the guide will be members only)
- YouTube video on Seven Things to watch out for with Company Lets
- For the law relating to lodgers see my free Lodger Landlord website.
Landlord Law members content:
- Training webinar recording on background law
- Training webinar recording on Leaseholder Landlords
- FAQ: Short lets – can an assured shorthold tenancy be for less than six months?
- FAQ: What are the differences between fixed term and periodic tenancies in England?
- FAQ: What is a periodic tenancy?
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on background law. Members will find more via the Occupation Types topic page and the Wales page.
Before you Rent
Free resources:
- Video on how to protect your property against fraud – PLEASE WATCH THIS!
- The Landlord Law Insurance Mini-course
- David Smith’s talk on Rent to Rent
Services
Landlord Law members’ content:
- The first part of our Checklist which is on getting the property ready to rent. The Wales version is here. (Non-members – find out about the Landlord Law Checklists here).
- Our Essential training video on before you rent
- A video with Dave Princep on things to check when preparing to let
- Video An Introduction to reading leases with barrister Brooke Lyne
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on background law.
So far as training and keeping up to date is concerned, Landlord Law members have access to training webinars once a month (all of which are recorded and can be watched online), plus there is a huge amount of training content on Landlord Law.
Further training can be purchased via the Landlord Law Shop.
Legislation and the property condition
Free resources:
- Gov.uk guidance on making repairs
- Gov.uk guidance on the HHSRS
- Video on HHSRS
- Video – Do landlords have access in case of emergency?
- Video – How landlords can be liable for defects even if you have not been told about them
- Wales Gov article – Fitness of homes for human habitation: guidance for landlords
- Landlord Law Quick Guide on the Property Condition
- Blog post – Edwards v Kumarasamy – the final decision
- Blog post – Disabled tenant wants landlord to help him enjoy his property
- Blog post – Landlords liable for plaster says Court of Appeal
Landlord Law members’ content:
- FAQ – What are landlords repairing responsibilities?
- Article – Landlords Obligations for Fitness for Human Habitation
- Article – The Housing Health and Safety Rating System – Myths and Misconceptions
- Training webinar recording on the Property Condition – legislation
- Article – What are the rules about the condition of rented properties in Wales?
- Video – Quantum in disrepair cases
- The Landlord Law Legislation page
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
Landlords whose tenants refuse to allow them to access the property for inspections and to carry out repair work may find our Property Access Kit helpful (it includes detailed guidance on obtaining an injunction order). Get a 30% discount during this course with coupon code DQBTV87W.
Property Condition Regulations
Free resources:
- Gov.uk articles: Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard – landlord guidance
- Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenantsUpdated 29 July 2022
- The Government’s Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool
- The Gas Safe Register website
- Wales Gov article: Fitness of homes for human habitation: guidance for landlords
Landlord Law members’ content:
- Video: The Gas Safety Regulations with Brooke Lyne
- Video: The New Electricity Regulations – with Dave Princep
- Video: Radon, Asbestos and Legionella – three Silent Killers
- FAQ: What are landlords’ obligations regarding fire safety?
- FAQ: What are landlords’ legal obligations as regards furniture and furnishings?
- FAQ: What are landlords’ responsibilities as regards the electricity supply and electrical appliances in the property?
- FAQ: What should the landlord do if the tenant refuses to grant access for gas inspections? (includes a link to where you can find draft letters)
- Article: What are the rules about the condition of rented properties in Wales?
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
Don’t forget the special discounts
- On our Property Access Kit – 30% with coupon code DQBTV87W, and
- On our Property Inspection Kit- 20% with coupon code 3ZKN9EYK
Note that if your tenants apply for a Rent Repayment Order and you need advice, we have a Rent Repayment telephone advice service which you will find here.
Record Keeping and Insurance
Free resources:
- Why you need a proper inventory and schedule of condition
- Video – how to keep records on Google Drive
- The End of Section 21 – Protecting Your Position – Records
- The Landlord Law Insurance Mini-Course << make sure you read this if nothing else
- Problems with Freehold and Leasehold insurance
- The top six problems with claims on landlords’ insurance
- Flooding – is your property at risk? Here’s what you need to do …
Landlord Law members’ content:
There are also a number of helpful forms for members, which can be found via the Documents and Forms page (many of which now have Welsh versions) – for example (follow the links to find out about the form):
- The New Tenancy Receipt Form
- Meter reading forms
- Smoke and CO alarm record form
- The tenant information form
- The Rent Arrears Schedule form
- The Landlord Law Telephone Attendance Note
- Diary sheet
- The Right to Rent checklist
Note also that our Property Inspection Kit includes checklists and forms for keeping proper records of your inspection visit.
The Property Inspection Kit is available to our Business Level members, otherwise, it can be purchased here. Get at 20% discount during this course with coupon code 3ZKN9EYK.
Protected tenancies
Note that there are considerably fewer resources for this topic. As protected tenancies date back to 1989 there is not a lot of information available.
Free resources:
Landlord Law members’ content:
If you are a tenant, you may be interested in this premium article on the Renters Guide website. Find out more about this here.
Using Letting Agents
Free resources:- The Landlord Law Letting Agents Quick Guide
- The House of Commons Library briefing on the regulation of letting and managing agents in England
- Agency Law Basics for landlords
- Saving money with Landlord Law
- Claims against letting agents who let to unsuitable tenants
- What are the Property Redress Schemes?
- Six things your letting agent still may not be telling you
Shared Properties and HMOs
Free resources:
- The Landlord Law Shared Properties Quick Guide
- The Landlord Law Which Tenancy Agreement Guide
- The Landlord Law Free HMO 101 online training course
- Training Video – Shared Properties and HMOs
- The Landlord Law tenancy agreements for England and Wales.
- The HMO Law and Practice online video course
- The 2020 HMO Day recordings
- There is a list of all the Landlord Law HMO content here
- The Landlord Law Dealing with Changing Tenants Kit (England)
- Article – Changing contract holders in Welsh Occupation Contracts
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
Don’t forget the special discounts:
- On our Property Access Kit – 30% with coupon code DQBTV87W, and
- On our Property Inspection Kit- 20% with coupon code 3ZKN9EYK
(Terms and conditions apply).
Deposits
Free resources:
The three deposit schemes all have a huge amount of free information:
Landlord Law members’ content:
- Training Video – Deposits and data protection
- Article – Creating an inventory
- Holding deposits documents – receipt form and draft letters
- Article – What are the rules about deposits and deposit schemes in Wales?
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
The Deposit Error Repair Kit
This is a kit I wrote a few years ago and have recently updated. Its purpose is to help landlords who have failed to protect the deposit to ‘repair’ this ‘error’. As part of this course you can get a 20% discount when buying the kit with coupon code 7ZZ57UDW. Find out more and buy online here.
Don’t forget the other special discounts
- On our Property Access Kit – 30% with coupon code DQBTV87W, and
- On our Property Inspection Kit- 20% with coupon code 3ZKN9EYK
(Terms and conditions apply).
Data Protection Issues
Free resources:
- The Information Commissioner’s Office (this is the best source of information)
- Why the new GDPR rules are important for landlords and a plan of action
- Video – Ten traps you can fall into by ignoring Data Protection and the GDPR
- Landlord Law Consumer Law Quick Guide
Landlord Law members:
- Training Video – Deposits and data protection
- Training Video – Data Protection and the GDPR
- Data Protection documentation (for both landlords and agents)
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
Pets and Pests
Free resources:
- Blog post – The law has NOT been changed to allow tenants to keep pets
- Blog post – Rats, cochroaches, bed bugs and other pests in rented property
- Article: Letting to Tenants with Pets
Landlord Law members:
- Training Webinars – Landlords and Pests, Obligations and Responsibilities with Brooke Lyne
- FAQ: Should I allow tenants to keep pets, and what are the implications for the tenancy agreement?
- FAQ: What are my obligations regarding assistance dogs and ’emotional support animals’?
Note that non-members can buy our pets form here.
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via th AZ page or the Wales page.
Consumer Law
Free resources:
- The Competition and Markets Authority Rented Housing Sector Consumer Research Project (where you can find information about the project and their interim report)
- Video – Five reasons why ignorance of consumer law can cost you money
Landlord Law members’ content:
- Article – An Introduction to Consumer Law
- Video – Consumer law
- Video – David Cox on Advertising Properties Online
- Online workshop recording on consumer law
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Members will find other articles and FAQ linked from the topic page and from the Wales page.
Tenancy Agreements (1)
Free resources:
- The Landlord Law Which Tenancy Agreement Guide (now covers Wales as well as England)
- About the Landlord Law tenancy agreements
- The Landlord Law Tenancy Agreements Quick Guide
Landlord Law members:
- Video – Landlord Law Essentials Part 10 – Tenancy Agreements (1)
- Article – Tenancies without Tenancy Agreements
- The Landlord Law tenancy agreements
- The Landlord Law Welsh occupation contracts
- The Welsh Conversion Contracts Page
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via the topic page or the Wales page.
Tenancy Agreements (2)
Free resources:
- The Landlord Law Which Tenancy Agreement Guide (now covers Wales as well as England)
- About the Landlord Law tenancy agreements
- The Landlord Law Tenancy Agreements Quick Guide
Landlord Law members:
- Video – Landlord Law Essentials Part 10 – Tenancy Agreements (2)
- The Landlord Law tenancy agreements
- The Landlord Law Welsh occupation contracts
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via the topic page or the Wales page.
Setting up a tenancy
(Or Occupation contract in Wales).
Free resources:
- The Landlord Law Ten Top Tips on signing up new tenants
- About the New Tenancy Receipt form
- About the meter reading forms and versions for Wales
- About the smoke and CO alarm record form (Welsh versions are available)
Landlord Law members:
- Video – Setting up a tenancy
- The Landlord Law New Tenancy Checklist for England and Wales
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via the topic page or the Wales page.
Property Inspections
Free resources
Landlord Law members:
- Video – Dave Princep on Property Inspections
- FAQ – What can the Landlord do if the tenant won’t let him in to do inspections and repairs?
- The Landlord Law Tenancy Management Checklist for England and Wales
The Landlord Law Property Inspection Kit
I created this several years ago, after which it was greatly improved by reader feedback from our initial user survey.
The kit takes you through the process of doing an inspection, including preparation, what to do on the day and following up. It includes numerous draft letters along with forms and checklists you can adapt and use.
It is our most popular kit, and users have found it to be very helpful. In our initial user survey (85 responses) 77% said the kit had changed their views on inspections and how they would carry them out in future.
The Property Inspection Kit is available to Business Level Landlord Law members free of charge during their membership. Otherwise, it can be purchased here. Get a 20% discount during this course with coupon code 3ZKN9EYK.
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via the AZ page or the Wales page.
Dealing with Rent Arrears
Free resources:
- Video – Five issues to be aware of with the new ‘Breathing space’ regulations – with David Smith
- What remedies are available to a landlord whose tenant fails to pay rent?
- Turn2Us is a very useful website which can help you and your tenants find grant aid, and also has a benefits calculator
Landlord Law members:
We have a fair amount of help for members but probably the most important resource is our Rent Arrears Action Plan which gives guidance on what you need to do from the day your tenant first falls into arrears. Read about this here.
If you need to evict we have detailed guidance on this too along with all the notices you will need to serve. See what is available in our Eviction Quick Start page.
The Helping Tenants in Arrears Kit
This is a kit I created with Julie Ford which looks at all the things you can do to help tenants in arrears source financial help, including grant aid.
It costs £120 or £150 with the documents, but you can get a 30% discount with coupon code 59W9CD8F.
This kit will be particuarly useful if you find yourself dealng with this problem often, for example if you manage a large portfolio or manage properties at a letting agency.
Find the sales page here. This has some videos where Julie Ford explains how she managed to source grant aid for tenants which are worth watching even if you don’t buy the kit.
Changing tenants and tenants wanting to leave early
Free resources
- Blog post – ancient law may help landlords
- Video – Ten tips on dealing with subletting problems
- The Landlord Law Quick Guide on shared properties
Landlord Law members:
- Articles – Tenants leaving early and changing tenants
- and, Changing contract holders in Welsh Occupation Contracts.
However, the best guide for this situation is our kit
Dealing with Changing Tenants Kit
This kit, which has recently been updated to include sections on Welsh law, looks at the various situations which can arise and gives step-by-step guidance with draft letters to use.
It is available to all Landlord Law members as part of their membership entitlement and can be found by members here.
If you are not a member, you can buy it online here for £60 (inclusive of VAT)
This is just a short selection from the Landlord Law content on this topic. Note that the member videos are only available to Business Level members. You will find more members’ content via the AZ page or the Wales page.
Eviction of Tenants
Free resources:
- The Landlord Law Which Possession Proceedings Guide (currently only covering English law)
- The Landlord Law Guide on Finding and Using Solicitors
- The Landlord Law Quick Guide to Ending Tenancies
Landlord Law members:
Landlord Law has a huge amount of help and guidance for members on eviction work, including a step-by-step guide on bringing a claim for possession through the courts without using solicitors and the recordings of our Possession Proceedings Training day from 2021. Many landlords have saved thousands of pounds by using our service.
See a list of all the eviction-related content (including to some free content) on our Eviction Quick Start page. Members can also ask me ‘quick questions’ in our members forum area if they have any problems or worries.
The following kits will also be of help:
- The Deposit Error Repair Kit – if you have made a mistake dealing with the deposit ++
- The Property Access Kit – if your tenant won’t let you in to do inspections or the mandatory safety checks ++
- The Helping Tenants in Arrears Kit – how to help your tenants source finance to pay their arrears
++ These kits are on special offer. See more below.
Keeping up to date
Ways to keep up to date
- Sign up to the Landlord Law weekly bulletin. This is completely free but will notify you of major changes in the law and link you to articles where you can find out more (and you can download a free ebook!)
- Join a Landlords Association – they will normally send out newsletters to members informing them up legal updates
- Subscribe to a property magazine, such as Property Investor News, which will have articles about changes in the law.
- Subscribe to landlord and agent news services. For example LandlordZone, Landlord Today and Property Industry Eye are all excellent and all free.
- Subscribe to landlord blogs such as my Landlord Law Blog and the Nearly Legal Blog (run by solicitor Giles Peaker). And of course
- Join my Landlord Law service – as I am constantly updating the site whenever the law changes.
And finally
I hope you have enjoyed the series and that it was useful for you.
Note that you can keep up to date via the weekly bulletin and the Newsround posts on the Landlord Law Blog.
