The buy to let boom has created an army of clueless landlords, according to property law experts.

People very often go into it thinking that it is easy money without fully appreciating their responsibilities. Also they are not always being cautious about setting money aside. Something designed to act as a pension pot could easily become a nightmare.

Landlords who are new to the game must recognize their legal responsibilities. Too many are risking prosecution or even prison. For example, you could be found guilt for manslaughter, if people renting from you die there due to fumes from a faulty gas appliance. Even in cases where the tenant does not inform the landlord of the need for repairs of, say, a gas heater, landlords could still be liable for property damage of, or personal injury to the tenant because of a defect in the heater.

That is not to say that it is best not to get involved in this market. There are three reasons why investors would want to invest – short term capital gains, long term capital gains and an income supplement.