Landlords have to make an energy performance certificate (EPC) available to prospective tenants as part of the letting process. The EPC, which is valid for ten years, will rate a property’s energy performance and make recommendations about how to improve the energy efficiency of the property. Read on.

While prices have increased capital appreciation has provided huge rewards for savvy investors and encouraged many more to enter the market. In addition, rent has also increased following a rise in demand as potential buyers are excluded from the ownership by deteriorating affordability and are forced to remain in temporary accommodation.

The biggest issue facing buy-to-let property investors with a growing portfolio of properties is the vast amount of paperwork they face. If you want to know more about this issue, keep on reading and you will find more useful information.

The Housing Health Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which is due to come into force from April 2006, identifies 29 different areas of risk in the home. The National Landlords Association says only one in ten of its members have a thorough understanding of the new system, which replaces the nine point housing 'Fitness Standard' currently in place. Read on to know more about this issue.

Increasing numbers of property owners are becoming accidental landlords, as sellers struggle to sell their homes and choose to rent instead, according to Chesterton Humberts. While this may provide extra income, Chesterton Humberts have advised anyone considering this option to plan carefully before rushing into finding tenants.

Cleaning is the number one source of dispute between landlords and tenants, according to the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. It has proved to be the most common source of deposit disputes in the 12 months since the scheme received its first disagreement to be resolved between landlord and tenant. Read on.

Mr Davis said: “In the UK, renting has traditionally existed as a result of affordability; a bi-product of people’s financial circumstances. Today, people want to live in different places and their circumstances regularly change; renting gives them flexibility.”