Books for Landlords Covering Business, DIY and Tax

There are myriad resources available to landlords that provide valuable information relevant to setting up a buy-to-let property business. This guide lists some books that landlords may find particularly helpful in the areas of business, DIY and tax.

Business

The following books provide useful information regarding starting up and running a business.

• Starting and Running a Business All-in-one for Dummies by Liz Barclay, Colin Barrow, Paul Barrow, and Gregory Brooks (2007).
• The Small Business Start-up Workbook: A Step-by-step Guide to Starting the Business You've Dreamed of by Cheryl D. Rickman and Dame Anita Roddick (2005).
• The "Financial Times" Guide to Business Start Up 2009: The Only Annually Updated Guide for Entrepeneurs (Financial Times Series) by Sara Williams (2008).

DIY

If you're considering carrying out DIY on your buy-to-let property then the books listed below might be able to provide you with some useful tips.

• You Can Do It: The Complete B&Q Step-by-Step Book of Home Improvement by Nicholas Barnard and Ken Schept (2007).
• DIY: Know-how with Show-how by Julian Cassell and Peter Parham (2009).
• Collins Complete DIY Manual by Albert Jackson and David Day (2007).
• DIY Manual (Readers Digest) by Readers Digest (2009).

General

The books listed below contain key information for would-be landlords and those who have already embarked on their buy-to-let property business.

• The Buy-to-let Bible (Lawpack Property Series) by Ajay Ahuja (2008).
• Renting Out Your Property for Dummies (UK Edition) - 2nd Edition by Melanie Bien and Robert Griswold (2006).
• The Buy-to-Let Manual: How to Invest for Profit in Residential Property and Manage the Letting Yourself by Tony Booth (2007).
• The Complete Guide to Property Development for the Small Investor: How to Identify the Best Opportunities in a Volatile Property Market by Catherine Dawson (2009).
• The Landlord's Survival Guide: The Truly Practical Insider' Handbook for All Private Landlords by Lesley Henderson (2007).
• The Complete Guide to Letting Property: Including Information on Buy-to-let, HIPs and Tenancy Deposit Schemes by Liz Hodgkinson (2008).
• Successful Property Letting - How to Make Money in Buy-to-Let (Right Way Plus) by David Lawrenson (2008).
• The Complete Guide to Residential Letting: The Smart Landlord's Guide to Renting Out Property by Tessa Shepperson (2008).

Tax

Tax can be a minefield. The books below deal with tax-related matters affecting landlords and small businesses.

• How to Avoid Property Tax by Carl Bayley (2008).
• Teach Yourself Understanding Tax for Small Businesses (TY Computing) by Sarah Deeks (2009).

The more information you have access to and absorb, the better armed you will be to succeed as a landlord, thereby increasing the returns on your investment. Happy reading!

Related articles:

Attracting and keeping tenants

• All Things Bright and Beautiful: Decorating Your Buy-to-Let Property
• Finders Keepers: A Landlord's Guide to Attracting (and Keeping) Tenants
• To Furnish or not to Furnish your Buy-to-Let Property?

Legal tips for landlords

• Identity Fraud: Relevance to Landlords and Steps to Take to Avoid Becoming a Victim
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part One)
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part Two)
• Asbestos: An Overview of a Landlord's Duties Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
• Undercover Criminals: Unspent Criminal Convictions and Buy-to-Let Insurance
• The Data Protection Act 1998 and Landlords
• Record-keeping for Landlords

Dealing with problem tenants

• Cannabis Farms: The Dangers and Tell-tale Signs for Landlords
• Dealing with Problem Tenants

General landlord information (DIY, Inventories and more..)

• Books for Landlords Covering Business, DIY and Tax
• Inventories for Landlords
• Useful Links for Landlords
• The Property Ombudsman
• Burst Water Pipes: Causes, Consequences and Precautionary Measures for Landlords and Tenants
• Flooding
• How to Secure your buy-to-let Property: Checklists for Landlords

Energy-saving tips for landlords and tenants

• Wrapping Up for Winter: Preparing Buy-to-Let Property for Cold Weather
• Energy-saving Tips for Landlords and Tenants

Financial tips for landlords

• A Landlord's Guide to Maximising Rental Income
• Financial Pressures for Landlords

Buying a buy-to-let property (auctions, location etc)

• Buy-to-Let - Ten Issues for Would-be Landlords to Consider
• Location, Location, Location... The 'Whys and Wherefores' of Location in the Buy-to-Let Property Market
• Going, Going, Gone... To You: A Landlord's Guide to Buying a Property at Auction
• Unoccupied Rental Property Issues

Insurance for landlords

• Key Things to Check on your Landlord Insurance Policy
• Public Liability Insurance for Landlords
• Rebuild Costs: What Landlords Need to Know

Using letting agents

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Letting Agents

Mortgage information for landlords

• Buy-to-Let Mortgage Considerations
• Consent to Let FAQs
• FSA Proposes to Regulate Buy-to-Let Mortgage Market

The information contained within this article is for general information purposes only, it does not constitute advice. Direct Line for Business endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct but does not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Direct Line for Business will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information.