Landlords in the Mansfield and Ashfield area are being advised to thoroughly check that legal documents for their properties are up to date.

Specalists at Fidler & Pepper Solicitors say that a number of people who become “accidental landlords”, such as through inheritance or marriage, do not invest time in making sure they are adhering to laws on matters such as deposit protection schemes or up-to-date gas safety certifcates.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Failure to keep properties legal can result in fines.

“Of course, failure to keep on top of rent payments means people will lose income.”

Fidler & Pepper recently launched free LetLegal property management software.

Visit www.fidler.co.uk for details.