'G' up for energy performance
From October 2008 Energy Performance Certificates will be added to the documentation landlords will be required to provide tenants. The good news is that, costing in the region of £100 (so far), the certificates will be valid for up to 10 years. Meanwhile landlords are being offered a financial incentive in the form of an energy saving allowance to move their properties up the performance scale, says Residential Landlord. MORE

Licensed to fill bedsit properties
Landlords in England and Wales who own larger houses in multiple occupation will from June 2006 have to start applying to the local authorities for licences. Those who have not done so by 3 July could face sever penalties, warns Leon Hopkins. MORE

REIT old mess
Chancellor Gordon Brown’s U-turn on allowing self invested personal pension plans
to invest in residential property has scuppered the plans of many. But scheme or no scheme, property still retains claims to being the most appropriate pension investment
for many, says Nick de Cent. MORE

Hammering out a bargain
Houses sold at auction often seem to go for less than their market value. Sometimes they really do represent bargains, but often there is good reason why the seller is willing to accept a lower price, says David Lawrenson. MORE

Know what the law requires
There are a myriad of different regulations, acts and rules that apply to lettings, and many have been introduced or changed only recently. It is important for landlords to keep up to date with them all, say rental agents Leaders, who have produced a summary of the requirements as of April 2005. MORE

Soft options and fitting solutions
Furnishings can make or break the appeal of rented accommodation – and have a bearing on rent. But as well as style and durability, landlords have to think about safety and other regulations which apply, says Joanna May. MORE

Looking for your ideal insurance cover
David Lawrenson discusses what landlords should look for when taking out insurance. MORE

Foundations for a successful contract
When landlords commit to building work to their properties it is up to them to see that any contract clearly defines what is required and what the cost of this will be, advises Terry Corbitt. MORE

Accreditation: The way forward
Landlord accreditation through partnerships with local authorities is the way forward for improving and maintaining good standards within the private rented sector, says Neil Marsden, chairman of the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) and the Committee of Management for the National Code of Standards for Larger Student Developments. Writing from a local authority perspective, he has developed the Leeds Landlords Accreditation Scheme. MORE

Bidding for success
Nearly 30,000 houses were sold at auction last year, an increase of over 20 per cent on 2003. But potential bidders need to be ahead of the game to secure a property says Philip Selway, head of country buying for The Buying Solution. MORE

Buy to let not to fret
Buy to let has been seen as a secure long term investment and attracted many new property investors. But, the role of landlord is not as easy as it seems, says Karl Anders of Walker Morris. MORE