Keysafe Tenant Vetting - Can they contact your bank and ask questions?

mandyJane_2

Hi,

I am using a tenant vetting company called Keysafe TV. I want to rent a bungalow in Devon and the letting agency have said I have to complete Keysafe's application form.

Keysafe have asked me to provide bank statements. However, I don't want Keysafe or the letting agency knowing that I have been claiming Disability Benefits up until last year, and these certainly appear on my bank statements. I have used a pen and blocked these out on the paper statements.

But does anyone know if Keysafe actually go and validate the bank statements with my bank?

Can they do this? Can they speak to my bank and say is this bank statement correct, what are these figures, how much went in?

Isn't this protected information by the Data Protection Act?

Does anyone know how these types of tenant vetting companies work?

It is a nightmare filling out their forms and extremely anxiety-provoking. I have nothing to hide, I am just tired of landlords turning their noses up at my disability and the fact I once claimed benefits (but now do not). I don't want Keysafe questioning why I have blocked out certain transactions on the bank statement, and then going to the bank directly to ask what those transactions are!

Thanks
Mandy x

eddddy

At the very least, your bank would want a signed letter of authority from you before discussing your financial affairs with anyone.

TBH, if Keysafe are really concerned about the blocked out entries, I guess they will just say to you 'Show us an un-blocked out version of your statement, or you will fail the vetting, and therefore you wont get the tenancy'. If that happens - you'll have to decide which option to go for.