Is landlord asking for too much info?

clutton_2

""Should any tenant/prospective tenant ask for proof I owned a property, had the agreement of the lender(if any) to let or had valid/relevant insurance or wanted to see safety checks of course I'd be happy to provide copies... but none has ever asked, in over 10 years...

at last we agree on something artfull...... i also have nev er been asked these questions ...

i think the way a LL handles a viewing is indictive to the tenant of their professionalism or otherwise.... i tell prospective tenants quite a lot about me and my business and they seem to value that.. so when i then ask them some questions it seems fairly reasonable....

theartfullodger

at last we agree on something artfull..

Curses!!

Delighted of course...

Lodger

Fiddlestick

rubber_soul wrote: »

Before moving into this place I did view 2 other properties (private landlords) that wanted £100 for a credit check and for us to jump through all sorts of hoops. I refuse to pay this money- in my opinion it's a ridiculous amount.

I refuse to pay this money because there is absolutely no benefit to me from it.

If the LL wants to credit check me, HE can pay for it.

mchale

edgex wrote: »

to organisations, not individuals

To people running a business

mchale

RJP33 wrote: »

I agree with what certain people have said before - a driving license should be fine for ID and the rest seems reasonable but I would definately not recommend giving out your NINO. I'm a landlord and can't think of any legitmate reason why I'd need that information.

Have you ever had to chase a tenant who's done a runner with rent arrears???

tbs624

clutton wrote: »

And yet when we want to open, say, a bank account, or buy a house, we have to show a lot of documentation, including - ID - photograpic proof of our identity (passport of driving license) and proof of address via utility bills

National insurance number to me is important for tracing ex-tenants for arrears.....

A tenant's NINO is absolutely no business of yours as a LL. A NINO is not intended to be a form of ID.

clutton wrote: »

if a tenant has no intention of reneging on their obligtion to pay rent, why would they be concerned ?

So, in your head Clutton , anyone who wants to keep their Nat Ins card & related records private from a nosey LL has something to hide? That is such a Daily Mail-ism - only those with something to hide want a bit of privacy and/or to restrict access to certain levels of personal info?

Many Ts would like to be able to trace their LLs when they b*gger off with their Tenancy deposits or renege on their LL obligation to give the T exclusive occupation for x months, only to vanish without paying their mortgage and leaving their Ts on the streets. How about all Ts asking their LL for their NINO just in case they have to pursue them to court and obtain an attachment of earnings? Let's remember that should you need to obtain information necessary for that it can be ordered by the court.

clutton wrote: »

if someone rents an expensive car they sign (using a credit card with no limit on the amount) to say they will pay for any damage.. - no "deposit protection scheme" there - just a business attempting to keep its losses/bad debts as low as possible....

, Many car hirers use a stand alone policy for this one, and the fact remains that you as a LL take a sizeable tenancy deposit to cover damage/unpaid rent. If you have good grounds for reimbursement then you will get your money from that deposit and/or subsequent court action.

clutton wrote: »

having become a tenant myself about 18 months ago, i do appreciate the inqusitive feel of the information required, but, i was willing to provide it in order to live where i wanted to....

The fact that you were willing to provide the info to your LL has absolutely nothing to do with anything.Each of us will be willing to do all sorts of things but it does not follow that this means everyone else should do the same.

Ditto with demanding to see Ts bank statements in addition to employer references and credit checks. For many LLs, it's simply a case of "there is some info and I want it because its there and it makes me feel safer" ( note "feel safer" not "safer")

tbs624

mchale wrote: »

To people running a business

.. who unlike bank employees etc have not been subject to any specific checks,training etc......

edgex

clutton wrote: »

And yet when we want to open, say, a bank account, or buy a house, we have to show a lot of documentation, including - ID - photograpic proof of our identity (passport of driving license) and proof of address via utility bills

National insurance number to me is important for tracing ex-tenants for arrears.....

edgex wrote: »

to organisations, not individuals

mchale wrote: »

To people running a business

no

it is the business/organisation* which requests the id & keeps the records

*ie. a registered company/academic institution/charity/government body

loops87 wrote: »

Hello!

I'm new on here. Hopefully someone might be able to help...

My partner and I are looking for a new flat and have found one through a private landlord. We haven't signed or paid anything yet but he's said he'll take the flat off the market. He has just sent us a form asking for the following information, to do reference checks:

-employer information / copies of salary details etc
-info about previous landlords
-passport numbers+photocopies of passports
-national insurance numbers + photocopies of payslips
-bank details (bank account number, address, etc).

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Typesofcrime/DG_174616

How your identity can be stolen


There are many ways that someone can steal your identity, including:

• finding out your bank details
• taking your passport or driving licence, or copying the details
• copying your credit card details
• accessing your personal information through a fraudulent website or email
• taking junk mail that has your personal information on it
• going through your dustbin to find receipts or other information

you can ask your employer for a reference
LL/agency does not need to know your salary details
they do not need copies of payslips

they do not need passport numbers nor copies of passports
(should not even ask for this)

they do not need your bank details
(your paying them)



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/DG_4015904

You must give your National Insurance number to:
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
your employer
Department for work and Pensions (DWP), if you claim benefits your local council, if you claim Housing Benefit
the Student Loan Company if you apply for a student loan
You will also be required to provide your National Insurance number if you open and Individual Savings Account (ISA).

no-one else needs your NI number

mchale

tbs624 wrote: »

Many Ts would like to be able to trace their LLs when they b*gger off with their Tenancy deposits or renege on their LL obligation to give the T exclusive occupation for x months, only to vanish without paying their mortgage and leaving their Ts on the streets. How about all Ts asking their LL for their NINO just in case they have to pursue them to court and obtain an attachment of earnings? Let's remember that should you need to obtain information necessary for that it can be ordered by the court.

, Many car hirers use a stand alone policy for this one, and the fact remains that you as a LL take a sizeable tenancy deposit to cover damage/unpaid rent. If you have good grounds for reimbursement then you will get your money from that deposit and/or subsequent court action.

A nino makes tracing a lot easier

edgex

mchale wrote: »

A nino makes tracing a lot easier

how?

a NI number is NOT a proof of id
the credit reference agencies dont record them


http://www.equifax.co.uk/About-us/Press_releases/2009/A_STOLEN_HANDBAG_CAN_MEAN_MORE_THAN_LOST_MONEY_CREDIT_CARDS.html

TOP 10 HAZARDOUS HANDBAG ITEMS!

• Cheque Book - Gives ID thieves account numbers and sort codes - and if you leave the address form on the front, home address too!
• Credit Card Receipts - Could reveal card numbers and provide access to an account by using information on recent transactions.
• Payslip - Reveals NI number, address, employer and salary details - ideal for fraudsters!
• Bank Statements - Could be used to open further accounts or for getting hold of money in your account
• Utility Bill - Could be used for ID verification when applying for credit or opening up a bank account.
• Driving Licence - Provides valuable personal information such as address and date of birth.
• Gym & other Membership Cards - These could potentially give access to personal information and be used for ID verification.
• Mobile Phones - Surprisingly, many people store PINs and other personal information on their phone.
• Passport - Could be used for ID verification when opening fraudulent accounts.
• Diary - Holds personal details and could reveal passwords.