A lettings agent has authored a guide for landlords.

David Adams, managing director of Chester family agency Cavendish, says: “I’ve worked in property for 23 years and for 15 of those my focus was on the lettings side of the business, during which time I’ve met a lot of landlords and lettings agents, many of whom face the same opportunities and challenges.

“The book is an attempt to empty my head of everything I’ve learnt into something tangible and provide solutions which I hope landlords will find useful whatever stage of the journey they are on.”

The book is divided into three sections entitled ‘Navigating Politics’, ‘Building a Legacy’ and ‘Adopting the Right Character’.

Adams continues: “There are now more than 170 different pieces of legislation that landlords need to know to operate their businesses effectively and avoid falling foul of the law.

“The current Renters Rights Bill going through Parliament could see landlords being hit with fines of £7,000 for each offence. The complexity of legislation and potential penalties for landlords have never been greater.

“Another key area the book covers is legacy, looking at everything from how someone structures their business to exit strategies, maximising value and potential inheritance within a family.

“The final part addresses the issue of character and shares some of the lessons I’ve learnt about the importance of having the time to take a helicopter view of your business, the idea of working on rather than in your business.

“There are many examples where landlords try to take on too much and forget that they are property investors in which the end goal is building a successful and profitable property portfolio.”

Adams is the great-great-grandson of the founder of the Beresford Adams estate agency which traces its history back to 1889.

After Beresford Adams was sold, David’s father Julian and his business partner Robert Ikin set up Cavendish Ikin in 1993. 

David Adams – now chairman of the Chester Association of Property Professionals – adds: “Success as a landlord isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it’s about mindset, purpose and the legacy you leave behind.

“We are increasingly seeing a new breed of landlords, fuelled by the likes of Instagram and Tik Tok and who are more about property investment, building portfolios and looking for exit strategies at the right time. They are typically in their 20s or 30s and maybe moved out of London to Cheshire and North Wales.”

His book is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Landlords-Playbook-Navigating-Politics-Character/dp/191254766X