New research has revealed that modern private sector landlords now need to be familiar with a staggering 62 pieces of government legislation.

"People jumping into the buy-to-let market probably have little idea of the rules and regulations they have to contend with," says the Residential Landlords Association.

The leading professional organisation for landlords conducted the research for members who own over 100,000 private rented properties throughout the UK.

Because, says RLA Chairman, Chris Town, "even part time landlords, including those using agents, need to be aware of their responsibilities. And the new Housing Act means they will have to notch up their skills."

More than 100 years of legislation dates from the 1891 Stamp Act right through to the new Housing Act - which will be implemented later this year and has been forecast as "the biggest upheaval in housing legislation for over 25 years".

The 62 acts don't only cover core areas such as consumer protection, fire precautions, smoke detection, gas, electricity, public health and eviction. Modern landlords need to be up to date with relevant clauses of data protection, disability discrimination, noise, human rights, matrimonial homes, race relations, anti-social behaviour, sex discrimination and terrorism legislation.

"There are few areas of the law that don't touch us at some time and in some way," says Chris Town. "That's why we run training sessions, many in conjunction with local authorities, and why our registered members scheme has been introduced to promote continuous professional development and help keep pace with changes in legislation and regulations.

"Without the support of a professional association like the RLA it's impossible for landlords to keep abreast of everything they need to know about."

Details of RLA courses are available from its website or by telephoning 0161 962 0010.

The full list of Acts of Parliament that have a bearing on the letting of private residential property is:
1.	Access to Neighbouring Land Act	1992
2.	Accommodation Agencies Act	1953
3.	Administration of Estates Act	1925
4.	Anti-social Behaviour Act	2003
5.	Arbitration Act	1996
6.	Consumer Protection Act	1987
7.	Cost of Leases Act	1925
8.	Cost of Leases Act	1958
9.	Criminal Law Act	1977
10.	Dangerous Premises Act	1972
11.	Data Protection Act	1998
12.	Defective Premises Act	1972
13.	Disability Discrimination Act	1995
14.	Electricity Act	1989
15.	Enduring Power of Attorney Act	1971
16.	Environmental Protection Act	1990
17.	Estate Agents Act	1979
18.	Fire Precautions Act	1971
19.	Gas Act	1986
20.	Health and Safety at Work Act	1974
21.	Housing Act	1977
22.	Housing Act	1980
23.	Housing Act	1985
24.	Housing Act	1988
25.	Housing Act	1996
26.	Housing Act	2004
27.	Human Rights	1988
28.	Landlord and Tenant Act	1954
29.	Landlord and Tenant Act	1985
30.	Landlord and Tenant Act	1987
31.	Law of Property Act	1925
32.	Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act	1989
33.	Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act	1988
34.	Local Government Finance Act	1992
35.	Matrimonial Homes Act	1983
36.	Misrepresentation Act	1967
37.	Noise Act	1996
38.	Occupiers Liability Act	1957
39.	Occupiers Liability Act	1984
40.	Party Walls Act	1996
41.	Power of Attorney Act	1971
42.	Proceeds of Crime Act	2002
43.	Property Misdescription Act	1991
44.	Protection from Eviction Act	1977
45.	Protection from Harassment Act	1997
46.	Protection from Noise Act	1997
47.	Public Health Act	1936
48.	Race Relations Act	1976
49.	Rent Act	1977
50.	Sex discrimination Act	1975
51.	Smoke Detects Act	1991
52.	Social Security and Benefits Act	1992
53.	Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act	1996
54.	Stamp Act	1891
55.	Taxes Management Act	1970
56.	Finance Act	1995
57.	Terrorism Act	2000
58.	The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act	2002
59.	Trade Descriptions Act	1968
60.	Unfair Contract Terms Act	1977
61.	Utilities Act	2000
62.	Water Industry Act	1991

The Residential Landlords Association (tel: 0845 666 5000) is a leading national organisation for professional landlords, residential property investors and self-managers - with members owning over 100,000 properties in the UK private rented sector. The range of members' services - on www.rla.org.uk - includes legal advice, insurance, financial services, credit referencing and training. For tenants there is www.tenantdocs.co.uk - where tips include a free download of the RLA's award-winning Plain English tenancy agreement. The RLA operates a web-based property search on www.homes2rent.net and publishes the bi-monthly Residential Property Investor magazine.

For further press information and interviews please contact

Brian Johnson at Powell Communications - tel: 0161 834 9836, fax: 0161 839 2660; brian.johnson@powell-pr.co.uk