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Landlord/Tenant solicitor recommendation

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    Landlord/Tenant solicitor recommendation

    Can anyone recommend a good landlord/tenant solicitor that specialises in private property letting? Perhaps one whose services you used/use and know they are a good one? I've searched online and rung a few, but would like to get opinion/recommendation from people here who has used/use such services. I am exploring to let out small flat (not BTL), while my nephew is looking to rent (in different town), so I thought it would be killing two birds with one stone with regards to their (solicitor) advice etc. Any advice or information is very much appreciated.

    #2
    What exactly do you need one for? You shouldn't need one for either of those normally. Is it something specific or you think you need them to check the contracts over or something?
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

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      #3
      Yes, checking over contracts etc in due time. Mainly I need one to explain to me the Act, that changes in 2019. I read the legislation and other information/explanation in various websites, but laws are never as straightforward as they may seem - at least to me. In essence I need to make sure I understand the law, so when dealing with tenant either directly or through letting agent I can know exactly what is expected from me by the law. Just like Ltd directors need to know what/how their accountant do accounts etc so they can review them prior submission. Nephew needs one to advise on prospective long lease (over 3 years).

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        #4
        Originally posted by oleanderwand View Post
        Just like Ltd directors need to know what/how their accountant do accounts etc so they can review them prior submission. Nephew needs one to advise on prospective long lease (over 3 years).
        But LTD directors don't hire lawyers to advise them. They don't even engage with an accountant to tell them about their accounts, they engage an accountant to do it for them. The equivalent in your case is to get an agent to let your property and let them deal with it and your nephew to engage through an agent and let them deal with it for him.

        I've a few BTL's and I've never felt the need to consult a solicitor. I've never seen it mentioned on threads about other BTL's either. Sounds a bit overkill and expensive to boot.
        'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

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          #5
          Tenants after reading the contact themselves simply need to use a housing charity like Shelter to check on the parts they aren't sure about or don't seem to comply with the law. Shelter has loads of advice on their website plus a helpline. (There are other charities out there who give advice but it depends on exactly the type of tenancy he has and who it is with.) If it goes wrong as long as your nephew is open to talking to people he works with he will find that his landlord's tricks aren't new and someone will point him in the right direction. In some incidences it will be a case of telling him to put in his notice at the right time so he can move.

          If you are a landlord then join a landlords association. Even then there are now companies who have been set up to help you do evictions legally.
          "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

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            #6
            Totally the wrong forum for getting landlord advice. Pretty sure there are loads of fora out there where landlords share information about the law and how best to comply to letter, if not the spirit.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by oleanderwand View Post
              Yes, checking over contracts etc in due time. Mainly I need one to explain to me the Act, that changes in 2019. I read the legislation and other information/explanation in various websites, but laws are never as straightforward as they may seem - at least to me. In essence I need to make sure I understand the law, so when dealing with tenant either directly or through letting agent I can know exactly what is expected from me by the law. Just like Ltd directors need to know what/how their accountant do accounts etc so they can review them prior submission. Nephew needs one to advise on prospective long lease (over 3 years).
              If you use a letting agent you are paying them to handle the legal side. So just do that.
              See You Next Tuesday

              Comment


                #8
                Many thanks all for your thoughts and information, invaluable as always. Thank you for information about Shelter, I'll pass that on. I taught myself basic accounting through online courses before I started contracting even though Ltd also had accountant at the time. I guess this is no different approach with the law around letting, but that is just my way. This is my first venture to letting and I want to make sure I act compliantly so tenant can have comfortable life living in the flat in tenant manner like. My objective is to find a good tenant over the time and build good mutual relationship with them if they do need/want to rent long term. I know from reading the forum there are people here who let out their property, so thought it's suitable to post here. Apologies if that's not the case.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by oleanderwand View Post
                  Many thanks all for your thoughts and information, invaluable as always. Thank you for information about Shelter, I'll pass that on. I taught myself basic accounting through online courses before I started contracting even though Ltd also had accountant at the time. I guess this is no different approach with the law around letting, but that is just my way. This is my first venture to letting and I want to make sure I act compliantly so tenant can have comfortable life living in the flat in tenant manner like. My objective is to find a good tenant over the time and build good mutual relationship with them if they do need/want to rent long term. I know from reading the forum there are people here who let out their property, so thought it's suitable to post here. Apologies if that's not the case.
                  I think you are way over thinking it to be honest, which isn't a bad thing but don't let it make the situation harder than it is. Going through an agent means they make sure everything is compliant so very little to do but being aware of your responsibilities is a good thing so you don't get any surprises. That's what you pay them for. Very little can come back on you if you are using a reputable agent.

                  Also be wary of the 'good mutual relationship'. There is nothing worse than an overbearing landlord. If you are going through an agent you want nothing to do with the tenant. Don't try to be the super great landlord. It won't make a difference to the tenant really. As long as they do what they do, and you agree to replace stuff thats broken they will be happy. The best tenant is the one you don't hear from for years. You cannot make that by 'building a good relationship'. People don't stay in homes just because of a good landlord. It helps but it's not the reason they stay. Let the tenant and the letting agent sort it between them, agree to fix stuff with the agents mention it quickly and then just leave them to it.
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

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