A franchise lettings agent has written a new guide for landlords.

Mike Jones, co-owner of Belvoir’s Basingstoke office, has drawn on his own 209 years of experience as a landlord as well as an agent.

He says: “This is a book I have been writing for years. I’ve helped to select and purchase hundreds of properties for clients over the years, and assisted and advised on refurbishments etc, so I had plenty of experience to draw on. 

“I went on a marketing course a few years ago and it gave me the push I needed to start the book. However, the distractions of running the business meant that I had to keep abandoning it. Then Waterside Press offered to take the book on and have been extremely helpful with editing and helping me produce what I hope proves to be a very useful and comprehensive guide for landlords.

“The contents of this book cover in detail subjects discussed in almost every conversation I’ve had with all kinds of landlords and investors over the years. I advise on everything they need to know, from severing any emotional ties, types of investment properties and tenants, likely locations, yields, property presentation, legislation etc. I have also included many examples of my own early experiences as an enthusiastic but naïve investor, and stories about some other successful and not so successful property investors that I have encountered during my career.

“’Better an Empty House than an Unruly Tenant’ aims to take someone through the entire process of sourcing and renting out a property, whilst remaining legally compliant and ensuring they keep tenants safe. If anyone is thinking of becoming a landlord, this is the book to help them.”