Tenant must give notice before being given reference by letting agent ?

theartfullodger

I'm (a small-time Landlord &) currently getting a credit/tenant check agent to do checks on a highly-probable tenant: I was surprised to see on the ongoing status that "tenant needs to give notice before reference will be given by letting agent.."..

This seemed a little dangerous for many tenants as giving notice when LL (and/or tenant) have not yet finally decided to go ahead, tenant might end up homeless...

I called the checking agent and they told me (excuse my ignorance on these matters..) that this is increasingly common with letting agents...This seems to me wrong, morally.

Is this a common practice?? Have other MSE'ers heard of this (or experienced it??)

Would notice given for this reason (ie under some duress) perhaps be with-drawable by tenant later - because given under duress??

Anyone any other views & comments??

I still hope & expect to go ahead with this guy - and now am not sure I'd value this particular (a large chain of franchised agents ..) reference anyway: Plan to ask to see his bank statements for evidence of regular payments..

Perhaps it's just me & my naïvity ...

Cheers & thanks in advance..

theartfullodger

All good stuff though ER!!!

I've spoken with prospective T & agreed with him I can speak with agent ...

It's the general principle of the thing that sounds unpleasant to me...

Best regards...

G_M

Haven't come across this, but with agents in the equation....

Get reference from landlord?

MissMotivation

It's certainly not common practice in the company I work for (national sale and letting agents)