HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) are a particularly tricky area of law.
And since the definition of an HMO was widened with the introduction of the Housing Act 2004, many landlords letting to tenants sharing who are not family, will in fact (sometimes without realising it) be letting as an HMO.
This brings in additional regulations that landlords need to comply with and many will need to get a license from their local authority.
The picture is further confused by the fact that different local authorities have introduced different regulations making it difficult to say how the law operates in any one area without local knowledge.
So when I was considering setting up this course, one of the first people I got in touch with was HMO law expert David Smith of Anthony Gold solicitors.
Because David is one of the few people I know who really understands this area of law. He also has the ability to explain it clearly, and is in fact one of the best legal speakers I know.
So it was a huge relief when he agreed to come on the course and help with the HMO section.
David Smith of Anthony Gold Solicitors
David has an academic background and up to 2004 was a lecturer in the University of Wales. He then re-trained as a solicitor and worked as a support lawyer and practice manager at niche property practice Pain Smith.
It was David who was largely responsible for setting up the respected Pain Smith Blog, and he now writes for the highly regarded Nearly Legal housing blog. He moved to London firm Anthony Gold in February 2011.
David is not just known for his understanding of the HMO law. He is an acknowledged expert on tenancy deposit laws, was consulted by the government during the drafting stage of the new regulations, and recently authored the TDS guidebook.
Many of you will have met David at one of his many training sessions – he is regularly invited to speak at events by a diverse range of groups including the RICS, NAEA, ARLA, and also to solicitors at Central Law Training,
David at Easy Law for Landlords
David’s main task on the course will be to help me with the HMO section. I know this is an area of concern to many landlords and agents, and David and I are determined to provide as much help and guidance as we can here.
As well as helping me with the course material, David will be giving a recorded interview with me where we will discuss many issues, including questions raised by students on the course. He will also be taking two of the group tutorials, where students will be able to ask questions.
Finally, David has promised to be around in the forums to answer questions from students and join in the discussions.
To find out more about the Easy Law for Landlords course >> click here. But hurry as bookings will close on 30 May at 10.30 pm.