Housing law specialists Tessa Shepperson and Ben Reeve-Lewis have embarked on a series of videos which should prove extremely helpful for letting agents.

The first, available now, is to do with tenants’ deposits. For those of a nervous disposition, be warned: it features a very bright shirt.

It is here

Separately, Reeve-Lewis gives his thoughts on whether ‘blacklists’ of rogue landlords and agents will work after being introduced in a forthcoming Housing Act this autumn.

And his view? Not a chance.

“These new plans presuppose that local authorities have a well-funded crew of trained people able to use this legislation to tackle rogue landlords – but most don’t.

“The recent swingeing council budget cuts of April 2015 have led to many enforcement posts being deleted and people doubling up on duties they have no previous experience of.

“Without enough staff to enforce these standards, rogue landlords will continue to operate beyond the resources of councils.”

More here