I've heard it estimated that there are more than 50 bits of legislation affecting residential lettings. For new landlords, it can be an absolute quagmire to navigate - and even for experienced landlords, it's hardly easy. Tessa Shepperson is an experienced and knowledgeable solicitor specialising in residential property matters, and she is the perfect person to guide us through the chaos.
The book covers all the areas that a landlord will need to consider, beginning with an overview of the legal framework and all the different regulations that need to be obeyed. There are further chapters on finding a tenant, preparing the paperwork, tenancy deposits, matters which might arise during the life of the tenancy, and the end of the tenancy. A chapter on problem tenants is particularly useful. Everything is written with admirable clarity, and is immensely readable. If you only buy one book as a landlord, make it this one.
What's particularly impressive about this book is that it's updated so frequently. My 2008 edition covers, for example, tenancy deposit schemes and Local Housing Allowance, both fairly recent changes. This diligence from both author and publisher is commendable, and I hope that this will continue for many more editions to come.