Details of prospective tenants from estate agent? Am I being intrusive?

jjlandlord

SerialRenter wrote: »

I agree, you can ask, but without the consent of the potential tenants the agents cant just give you all of their details due to the data protection act.

Yes, he can. There is no data protection issue between an employee and an employer, or an agent and his principal.
Any information that the agent receives, he does so on behalf of the landlord.

ICO says that tenant should be informed that date will be passed to landlord, but that's really a best practice for full information.

Pixie5740

Debbyc wrote: »

I intend to pay a whole year's rent in a very small room, so that I will not be in debt! My rent in my own house will more than cover a room's rent. I will inform the landlord that I am on DSA and ESA. thank you. Clearly, I am concerned because of my own situation. I have access to debt from credit card which I have no plans to incur and I have eaten the humble pie and I will move out so I do not have to deal with huge bills and eventually end up in trouble.

I was just pointing out that mart.vader had mis-read your original post. You seem helluva touchy about it though for someone who wants this kind of information from your tenants. Sauce for the goose and all.

Debbyc

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Firstly the tenants won't be living in your home. Once you let the property the property will become the tenants' home so you're going to have to get your head around that one. ... The agent works for you. If there is information you want then ask for it.

1. As the first poster, Pixie, thanks for your response. Clearly, you misunderstood me. I realise it will no longer be my home. For now, it is and they are visiting it!

2. The "noise" - Wow, It is interesting how a very simple question can cause such nastiness and petty remarks borne out of assumptions. I don't know why people do it, but there is nothing to be gained by trying to score points with such horrible comments.

You would not rent from me? Good! Your privilege

Good job it is not a bad health day, some are enough to cause a crisis. Sad that people can be so unkind without even knowing one?

Yes, I can google them if I like. Why not? My LL CAN google me. Should I fear? No!

He will find that I have worked hard, I am decent and polite and may find I had a house in London which I sold (btw, because my fingers were burnt in amateur renting in order to relocate to a job, which I lost because amongst other things I am unwell). I hope he will find from being 'INTRUSIVE' that I have been decent to move out of this house so that I can live in a small room for a while. If need be, I will pay the whole year's rent (hopefully max £3000) and live on my merger left overs.

3. I don't care about their English or Facebook, but character and ability and willingness to pay their dues. I owe it to myself to ask basic questions. I just wanted to know if it was wrong to ask. Btw I did not ask questions in London and look where it got me then.

4. I will take LL RENT INSURANCE / indemnity - Homelet or Aviva or other. It helped in London when the tenant who played the system had to be evicted. I did most of the work but I eventually got my rent and got her out.

5. Thanks for all your answers. I have actually called the agent this morning and braved up to ask the questions and told them to TELL THE TENANTS that I WANTED TO KNOW!

Not sure if I have missed any other questions or comments.

mart.vader

Pixie5740 wrote: »

No, it's the OP that's facing "financial challenges" and that's why they are looking out to let out what is currently their home and move into a smaller property. I wonder how the OP's landlord will feel about letting to someone with "financial challenges"?

"Agent brought a couple, but did not even give me their names. They have now called to notify me that they want my house. All they have said is that they earn 3x the rent pa, wife works part-time for now and having 2nd baby in a few months, husband self-employed. They are having to sell own house."

What's this then ?

Pixie5740

mart.vader wrote: »

"Agent brought a couple, but did not even give me their names. They have now called to notify me that they want my house. All they have said is that they earn 3x the rent pa, wife works part-time for now and having 2nd baby in a few months, husband self-employed. They are having to sell own house."

What's this then ?

Current home might not be big enough or in the same area.

mart.vader

Pixie5740 wrote: »

I was just pointing out that mart.vader had mis-read your original post. You seem helluva touchy about it though for someone who wants this kind of information from your tenants. Sauce for the goose and all.

No, I didn't !

Look, OP, Post #32 by Quizzical Squirrel seems to sum it up quite well. Even if you had not been burned before, you have the right to ask any questions you like to satisfy yourself that the tenants are suitable. Forget about Data Protection Act, it doesn't apply. If tenants want to withhold private information, due to the DPA, find other tenants, and they can find another LL !

Pixie5740

mart.vader wrote: »

No, I didn't !

Where in the OP does it say these prospective tenants are in financial distress?

mart.vader

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Current home might not be big enough or in the same area.

Might be being repossessed, too.

Debbyc

jjlandlord wrote: »

Do ask your agent to provide the prospective tenants' details and full references before accepting to let to them.

Do ignore the noise from some comments...

Thanks a lot. I am happy that someone understands my POV.

I have.

Pixie5740

mart.vader wrote: »

Might be being repossessed, too.

Very true. Nobody on this thread knows why the prospective tenants are selling up and nobody except for you said they were in financial distress.

Anyway, we're veering off topic. The OP, or any other landlord for that matter, can ask for any information they like and the tenant can choose whether or not to supply it. Even then there are no guarantees.