Legal advice 'essential for those looking to let their property'

Those looking to let out their property should ensure they seek legal advice and professional help for conveyancing, an expert has advised.
 
Ian Potter, operations manager at the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), has said this is especially important when it is a couple who own the property together as an incorrectly-drafted lease can present serious problems in the case of a break-up.
 
He warned that if a relationship does not work out and this eventuality has not been prepared for then the parties may find that the tenancy cannot be easily brought to an end.
 
"That should all be covered in a legal tenancy agreement," he explained.
 
Mr Potter said that many people who lease out their properties are not aware that they are entering into a legally-binding contract that cannot easily be cancelled on a whim at a later date.
 
Last month, ARLA warned that the private rental sector is falling behind its energy performance obligations and stated that 17 per cent of landlords could find their properties are illegal to lease out under rules due to come into force in 2018.

 Published by Tessa Jones