Emma Somerset
Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after completing her academic training at Bournemouth University and the University of Law, Guildford.
After undertaking her training contract at a large firm on the south coast she began her career with the same firm before accepting a position with PainSmith Solicitors in November 2012.
Emma specialises in all aspects of property litigation and can assist in resolving most disputes, regularly acting for landlords and land owners in connection with dilapidations disputes, forfeiture and possession claims, land registration disputes, building and boundary disputes, and recovery of arrears and other debts.
Emma is also able to draft up to date tenancy documentation, being fully conversant with all relevant requirements and guidance that applies to this heavily regulated and changing area. She has been praised for her ability to quickly understand her clients’ objectives and for offering commercial, pragmatic advice in a straightforward manner.
One Comment
I personally feel that regulation in the sector would be beneficial; the minimum standards to which proposed legislation would have landlords adhere are practiced by most good landlords, and the reputation of the sector as a whole is tarnished by those who flout good practice. Hence, only ‘rogue’ or poor landlords will be forced to change, or be forced out of the sector.
Boris Johnson appears to be ‘pioneering’ regulation with his London Rent Standard, but I can’t help feel that it’s superfluous and counter-intuitive.
Firstly, the LRS will be voluntary. As good landlords already follow decent practice and rogue landlords do not, the notion that a voluntary scheme will be observed universally is, at best, over-optimistic.
Secondly, many of the core measures exist in some other form. Deposit protection is mandatory in current legislation, transparency of RLA fees is a requirement for membership of regulatory bodies in that part of the sector… even training and development for landlords is a part of the service offered by accreditation schemes, and as discussed, participation will be voluntary.
London is perhaps the most saturated market in the country, and the area where regulation would perhaps be most beneficial – not just for tenants. Further incentives for private landlords to house DSS tenants (for which the PRS is increasingly used) and measures to have their interests protected would be welcomed by landlords, and any minimum standards which enhance the reputation of the sector as a whole would be welcomed universally.
The LRS is a bit of a damp squib, though. The only transparency on offer is that of Boris’s true intentions; to have wealthy people, possibly with little knowledge (or desire to gain knowledge) of the PRS, to continue investing therein.