Landlords 'now being vetted by tenants'

News Category: Industry News

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There has been an increase in tenants carrying out checks and references on their prospective landlords, according to one lettings agent.

David Underwood, a lettings agent at Darwoods in St Albans, Hertfordshire, told the Observer there was a growing trend of tenants asking letting agents about the reliability of their landlords.

Mr Underwood said: "Tenants have been far more interested in landlords' backgrounds and are asking more questions about where their deposit is being held."

Tenants can ask for a credit check to be carried out on potential landlords, although the landlord must give written permission to them before this is carried out.


Lettings agents registered with Arla can also check with a landlord's mortgage and insurance company that they have been informed the property is being used for rental purposes.

Earlier this month, Arla reacted to a reported rise in the number of lender property repossessions by suggesting that its members should carry out frequent checks on the terms of their landlords' mortgages.

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