Landlord Resource and
News Centre

Attracting and keeping tenants

• All Things Bright and Beautiful: Decorating Your Buy-to-Let Property - a landlord's guide to decorating a buy-to-let property from preparation and planning to style advice what to do with the exterior of the property.
• Finders Keepers: A Landlord's Guide to Attracting (and Keeping) Tenants - how landlords can attract and keep tenants and some handing tips on effectively advertising your property.
• To Furnish or not to Furnish your Buy-to-Let Property? - a consideration of the issues regarding furnished, unfurnished and part-furnished buy-to-let property.

Legal tips for landlords

• Identity Fraud: Relevance to Landlords and Steps to Take to Avoid Becoming a Victim - steps for landlords to take to reduce the risk of becoming one of the increasing numbers of victims of identity fraud.
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part One) - an introduction to Landlords' legal obligations covering The Gas Safety Regulations 1998 and Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. Part One of Two.
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part Two) - an introduction to Landlords' legal obligations covering furniture, maintenance and deposits. Part Two of Two.
• Asbestos: An Overview of a Landlord's Duties Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 - a landlord's brief guide to recognising asbestos and understanding their duties on dealing with asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.
• Undercover Criminals: Unspent Criminal Convictions and Buy-to-Let Insurance - a brief explanation of the consequences of failing to disclose a landlord's or tenant's unspent criminal convictions to insurers.
• The Data Protection Act 1998 and Landlords - an overview of landlords' responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998 regarding the personal information that you can disclose.
• Record-keeping for Landlords - a guide to the records every landlord should keep to stay organised and required to keep by law and for tax purposes.

Dealing with problem tenants

• Cannabis Farms: The Dangers and Tell-tale Signs for Landlords - a guide for landlords on the dangers of cannabis farms plus how to spot cannabis farmers.
• Dealing with Problem Tenants - a guide for landlords about avoiding difficulties with tenants, common problems, eviction and possession.

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

• Books for Landlords Covering Business, DIY and Tax - a list of useful book titles for landlords to read on DIY, starting up and running a business as well as tax.
• Inventories for Landlords - an overview of the benefits of using an inventory for both landlords and tenants to ensure a stress-free changeover between tenants.
• Useful Links for Landlords - a list of useful websites for landlords that offer advice or services on everything from asbestos to tax.
• The Property Ombudsman - a guide to the role and function of the Property Ombudsman (TPO) Scheme and the types of complaints considered.
• Burst Water Pipes: Causes, Consequences and Precautionary Measures for Landlords and Tenants - a guide for landlords and tenants describing the causes and consequences of burst water pipes together with practical steps and advice to reduce the occurrence and minimise impact.
• Flooding - a guide for landlords outlining the causes of flooding, steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of and damage caused by flooding, consequences of flooding, and what to do if a property has been flooded.
• How to Secure your buy-to-let Property: Checklists for Landlords - checklists for landlords to improve security at their buy-to-let property and protect their investment.

Energy-saving tips for landlords and tenants

• Wrapping Up for Winter: Preparing Buy-to-Let Property for Cold Weather - gas and electrical heating equipment legal tips for landlords, plus winter maintenance checklist for buy-to-let property.
• Energy-saving Tips for Landlords and Tenants - tips for landlords and tenants to reduce energy use, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, reduce bills and help save the planet.

Financial tips for landlords

• A Landlord's Guide to Maximising Rental Income - advice for landlords outlining how they can increase the rental income from their buy-to-let property.
• Financial Pressures for Landlords - a landlord's guide to minimising the risk and impact of a tenant's financial problems affecting rent payment.

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

• Buy-to-Let - Ten Issues for Would-be Landlords to Consider - ten essential issues to think about before you set out to become a buy-to-let landlord for you to stand a better change of reaping the potential rewards of becoming a landlord.
• Location, Location, Location... The 'Whys and Wherefores' of Location in the Buy-to-Let Property Market - six location issues to consider before purchasing buy-to-let property so you'll be better equipped to find your ideal buy-to-let investment.
• Going, Going, Gone... To You: A Landlord's Guide to Buying a Property at Auction - a landlord's guide to buying a property at auction - before the auction, on the auction day and after the auction.
• Unoccupied Rental Property Issues - an outline of issues for landlords to consider when a buy-to-let property is vacant to minimize the risk to their investment.

Insurance for landlords

• Key Things to Check on your Landlord Insurance Policy - list of questions for landlords to ask insurance providers before purchasing a landlord insurance policy.
• Public Liability Insurance for Landlords - an overview of public liability insurance for landlords and other insurance-related products for landlords.
• Rebuild Costs: What Landlords Need to Know - when taking out landlord insurance for your buy to let property, your insurer will want to know the rebuild costs of the property to be insured.

Using letting agents

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Letting Agents - a guide for landlords outlining the benefits and drawbacks of letting agents and a list of questions you should be asking your potential letting agent.

Mortgage information for landlords

• Buy-to-Let Mortgage Considerations - key considerations for landlords regarding buy-to-let mortgages to ensure they choose the most appropriate mortgage to suit their requirements and circumstances.
• Consent to Let FAQs - questions and answers about obtaining consent from your mortgage provider, landlord insurance company, co-owner and lessee to let out your home.
• FSA Proposes to Regulate Buy-to-Let Mortgage Market - a brief discussion of the FSA's Mortgage Market Review and the proposals to regulate the 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.