Legal advice for letting agents on authorised signatories controversy

PropTech supplier Goodlord is to host a webinar on Thursday answering letting agents' questions onthe implications of the landmark ruling on authorised signatories in the Northwood Solihull v Fearn/Cooke/Ors case. 

The ruling placed a spotlight on the complex legislation that regulates who is authorised to sign documents - including prescribed information and notices - on behalf of landlords under Section 44 of the Companies Act 2006.  

The case in question arose when Northwood Solihull served a Section 8 notice to evict a couple who weren't paying their rent. 

The couple argued that the eviction wasn't valid under Section 44 of the Companies Act 2006 as the notice wasn't signed by either two authorised people or  y a company director with a witness. 

A second appeal overruled the couple's attempt to argue that the notice and deposit certificates were invalid under Section 44 of the Companies Act 2006, to the relief of many in the industry.

Tomorrow at the webinar a lawyer will delve deeper into the case and its implications.

The lawyer, Robert Bolwell - Senior Partner at Dutton Gregory - comments: “This case has been closely watched by letting agents throughout the country and the ruling will have been welcomed by many.  

“But the judgement could have a much wider impact on agencies' compliance practices. The same rationale could apply to virtually every notice prepared for a corporate landlord, from section 21 notices to rent increase notices, and even notices to quit. 

“There are still many questions that letting agents will have about the outcome of this case, which I look forward to answering in this webinar."

Tom Mundy, chief operating officer at Goodlord, comments: “The outcome of this case came as a relief for many. However, it raised as many questions as it provided answers. 

“We hope that by providing agents with an opportunity to ask Robert Bolwell their questions about the ruling directly, they will have more clarity about who is authorised to sign what documents on behalf of their landlords."

Agents can register for the webinar here.