A new generation of parents is turning into property-owning landlords to help their teenage school leavers through university.

The trend to buy them a student house to share with pals and 'live cheap' is burning the fingers of many amateur landlords who are "biting off more than they can chew" says the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

Parents typically purchase a three or four bedroom terraced house in a 'student area' surrounding the university of college, with the familiar community of pubs and convenience stores.

With the 'credit crunch' driving house prices down, there seem to be bargains at every turn. For many middle-ages parents, it's an opportunity to invest in property that they expect will regain its value to boost their pension fund in 20 years time.

However the RLA is warning potential parent landlords to do their homework "Parents who buy-to-let generally don't know what they're letting themselves in for. There's a whole new world of licensing legislation governing 'houses in multiple occupation' - the offical name that covers traditional housing.

Source: Landlord & Buy-to-news
For the full article please visit http://www.landnet.com/ page 19.