Lawyer David Smith will join Fixflo MD Rajeev Nayyar in a legal update webinar discussion next week and it is going to cover an important case that could affect many tenancies.

David Smith, a partner at JMW Solicitors and legal counsel for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), will present a free webinar with repairs and maintenance software provider Fixflo next Wednesday.

The regulatory expert will give letting agents important updates on a recent case and its potentially far-reaching impact on corporate landlords and agents who have signed tenancy documents on their landlords’ behalf.

The implication of the case concerning the validity of a prescribed information certificate signed by agency employees is a complex consideration due to the Deregulation Act 2015 and the widespread use of electronic signatures in modern lettings practices. If landlords and agents do not comply with relevant laws on e-signatures when signing prescribed information certificates, future section 8 or section 21 notices could be invalidated.

In this webinar, Smith will clarify what qualifies as a valid company signature, how agents can rectify historical non-compliance and what agents should do to ensure their new tenancy process is watertight.

Between 11 AM and 12 PM next Wednesday, 28 April, readers are invited to tune in for the webinar which will also cover important legal updates around the enforcement of the new electrical safety standards, the Renters Reform Bill, client money protection and possession proceedings. Agents can also ask questions through a moderated Q&A session.

Agents can sign up to the webinar for free here. Attendees can submit questions in advance at research@fixflo.com.

All registrants will also gain priority access to a new e-signatures guide produced by JMW Solicitors and Fixflo and the full recording.