Lawson-West - your legal partner for life

Buy to Let Properties

At Lawson-West we understand that when you are buying an investment property, you need a quality property lawyer who can work to your timescale and can suggest solutions to any problems highlighted during the conveyancing process. At Lawson-West:

• We do our searches on-line so that any problems are highlighted at the earliest possible opportunity and so resolved without causing any additional delays.
• We will keep you informed and let you know when important stages have been completed.
• We will appoint a dedicated case handler and you will be given their direct dial number so you can be updated.
• We will always use legal jargon-free explanations.
• You will know what the costs are from the outset, so there are no hidden extras for you to worry about.
• We will check if the legal title of the property is suitable for letting purposes.
• We will check whether any restrictions affect the property.

Lawson-West can also assist with:

• Assured Shorthold Tenancies – either writing new contracts or giving your existing contracts a health check to ensure they cover you for any potential pitfalls.
• Notices – ensuring all proper legal procedures are carried out.
• Possession proceedings.
• Sales of buy to let property – conveyancing and/or estate agency.
• Home Information Packs – we do the full searches which are acceptable to mortgage companies, some of whom will reject Home Information Packs containing personal instead of full searches.
• Mortgages.
• Legal advice – keeping you up to date with any legal changes and safety regulations updates that may affect you, your tenants or your properties.

For a free, no obligation quotation, please call 0800 3899 096 or complete our on-line conveyancing quotation form. Lawson-West offer free initial legal advice so it won't cost you anything to find out how we can help you.

Things to consider when buying property to let:

• What sort of tenant do you want and what sort of properties will they want to rent? Consider both location and type of property your tenant will want to rent, eg students like to be near universities, young professionals need good transport links and may prefer newer, low maintenance housing.
• Research – be prepared to shop around to find the right buy to let mortgage for you, find out the average rents for the area you are considering buying properties in, as most buy to let lenders want rent to cover 125% of mortgage repayments. Even properties in popular areas can stand empty so factor in two months without rent.
• New legislation relating to payment and retention of deposits may affect your ability to obtain possession of the property.
• How will you deal with and budget for maintenance and repairs? Letting agents will charge a management fee, but will have access to a network of reputable plumbers, electricians, gas appliance installers and decorators and will deal with any problems. All electrical and gas appliances have to be regularly inspected and any furniture you provide will be subject to safety regulations.
• How will you attract tenants? Letting agents will advertise your property, may have a list of tenants waiting for the type property you are letting and will arrange viewings. To protect your property and income, you need to vet potential tenants and letting agents already have procedures to do this.