There are many things to consider before your next investment, some legal and some not. If you’re new to the property scene, you’ll want to spend some time getting to know the market and which areas are most likely to yield a regular rental income. That said, any type of investor will need to do their homework. Researching about the legal requirements of buy-to-let properties and any recent changes in property ownership (tax, obligations or otherwise) will help you determine whether buying an investment property is right for you.

If you have a specific property in mind, you’ll want to survey its structure for any problems and review legal paperwork, tenancy agreements and title deeds. A solicitor can comb through these documents for you to highlight whether there are any restrictions or terms in a contract that you should know about.

When an investment property is yours, you’ll have some newfound obligations as a property owner and landlord. Importantly, you’ll need to think about the legal safety requirements as a landlord as they relate to gas, electricity, fire and energy. A solicitor will give you prompts of when paperwork is due and when changes need to be made. They will also help you navigate letting and managing a new rental.

As with buying a personal home, it’s wise to hire the help of a conveyancing solicitor to take care of the legal side of a sale. A solicitor plays many roles in assisting a property investment. Initially, they may help you to understand what you’re buying and point out any problems with a property. They will also make sure you’re aware of additional costs, such as a higher rate of Stamp Duty.

If you’re seriously interested in buying an investment property, a solicitor will review the title deeds and any existing tenancy agreement to bring items to your attention. They will also guide you to inform your mortgage lender of your intentions and tell you about the subtle differences of purchasing a buy-to-let property versus a personal home.

After the sale of a property, a solicitor can help you navigate the letting process by drawing up bespoke tenancy agreements and listing the legal safety requirements a landlord has to fulfil. Down the line, a solicitor may help solve tenant and landlord disputes, assist with the eventual sale of a portfolio property and give tax planning advice.

You should look for a solicitor with positive reviews and recommendations, as well as one who is part of a law firm with wider conveyancing experience and a diverse range of clientele. At Lockings, we have over 800 reviews and hold an average rating of 4.9/5 stars. We offer a wide variety of conveyancing services, from remortgaging to site development. Due to our mix of commercial and residential services, we’ve helped both individuals and organisations to settle property matters. It’s safe to say there isn’t any conveyancing concern we’d shy away from.