Starting next month, Universal Credit is going to be fast tracked in many areas of the UK. Ahead of the changes, there will be a series of Universal Credit Roadshows that will introduce the new scheme and what it means to those affected. Landlords should keep an eye on the roll out of Universal Credit in their area.

Another change that is being rolled out in 2015 is new immigration 'right to rent' checks. Having been trialled in the West Midlands since the start of December, the scheme, which requires landlords to check the immigration documents of non-UK tenants with the Home Office, will go national this year.

Of course, changes in the benefit system are just two of the many things that landlords need to be aware of for 2015. At the end of last year, it was predicted that landlord assets will top £1 trillion by the end of the second quarter of 2015. Along with increased property values, a recent survey showed that 40% of private landlords plan on increasing their rents in 2015. The demand for rented accommodation is increasing, too. In response to this demand, there have been calls to tax owners of empty properties with the aim of getting the properties inhabited again.

Landlords do have some other good news coming from legislation changes. Thanks to a ruling at the end of last year, landlords no longer need to pay a tenant's deposit into a protection scheme every time the tenancy is renewed. This will mean less paperwork and an easier time for ongoing tenancies.

Welsh landlords and some landlords in England will also need to be aware of changes to liability for Water Authority debts. If a landlord doesn't provide contact details for a tenant, they could find themselves liable for any outstanding debts at their property. Wales will also require landlords and letting agents to be licensed this year, with a licensing scheme coming into effect in the autumn.

While there might be a bit of extra work required for landlords and letting agencies as the result of some of this new legislation, 2015 does still look to be a positive year. With increased demand for rented housing and an increase in rental prices, it should shape up to be a fantastic year financially.