Blanket ban on renting to tenants on benefits in rental property ads - lawful?

Comms69

pinklady21 wrote: »

That is another thing - the number of folks who think that they can just rock up and view a property without giving any background info at all.
The surprise that is expressed when I email an application form and ask them to fill it in and return it and then we can arrange a viewing......
One had the cheek to ask me if I could bend the rules, just this once!

I’d be surprised too. At the end of the day I wouldn’t want to provide detailed info before even seeing the property.

pinklady21

Annisele wrote: »

Well, I wouldn't be filling in an application form - or giving you much in the way of my personal details - before I'd even seen the flat.
For all I know, it's not even your flat and you're just out to steal deposits from every prospective tenant. I appreciate that that's extremely unlikely (and you wouldn't be posting here if that was your plan), I'm just giving a reason other than laziness or poverty for a prospective tenant not wanting to give you background information.

It is standard practice to ask for some personal info of the prospective viewer. Letting agents do it all the time - if only to look out for the personal safety of the staff member doing the viewing. The tragic case of Susie Lamplugh comes to mind - an estate agent who was murdered by the house "viewer" she had gone to meet at the property.

The possibility of nefarious activity goes both ways too - the particular property I am letting would probably be attractive for anyone thinking about setting up a cannabis farm..... country area, no close neighbours etc. So it is important I have some background info in advance. If folks are not even willing to provide their name and address, that rings alarm bells.

Annisele

pinklady21 wrote: »

The possibility of nefarious activity goes both ways too - the particular property I am letting would probably be attractive for anyone thinking about setting up a cannabis farm..... country area, no close neighbours etc. So it is important I have some background info in advance. If folks are not even willing to provide their name and address, that rings alarm bells.

Oh indeed; name and address is fine. When I've been looking to rent I've also been happy to give the agent my job title and employer's name (which makes me *very* easy to run basic checks on, and gives a good idea of my income). But I'm not filling in an application form until I've decided I actually want to rent the flat.

Comms69

pinklady21 wrote: »

It is standard practice to ask for some personal info of the prospective viewer. Letting agents do it all the time - if only to look out for the personal safety of the staff member doing the viewing. The tragic case of Susie Lamplugh comes to mind - an estate agent who was murdered by the house "viewer" she had gone to meet at the property.

The possibility of nefarious activity goes both ways too - the particular property I am letting would probably be attractive for anyone thinking about setting up a cannabis farm..... country area, no close neighbours etc. So it is important I have some background info in advance. If folks are not even willing to provide their name and address, that rings alarm bells.

You’re talk rubbish, sorry.

Employers; good ones anyway; have line worker policies.

An emailed application form wont protect anyone from someone with nefarious intents. Stop justifying your bizarre behaviour by using a, VERY, extreme case.

pinklady21

Comms69 wrote: »

You’re talk rubbish, sorry.

Employers; good ones anyway; have line worker policies.

An emailed application form wont protect anyone from someone with nefarious intents. Stop justifying your bizarre behaviour by using a, VERY, extreme case.

So it is wrong to ask people (complete strangers) to confirm their name and address prior to allowing them to meet me, alone, in my house?

I don't think so.

Comms69

pinklady21 wrote: »

So it is wrong to ask people (complete strangers) to confirm their name and address prior to allowing them to meet me, alone, in my house?

I don't think so.

... how would you know it was a real name and address....?!?!

Legitimate renters will be put off
People with bad intentions will lie

How is this in any way an effective system....?

Mela322

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

It’s easier said than done in reality though, if the reason you are struggling is job loss, where will you move to? You won’t pass referencing somewhere new with no wages coming in, and the fees for a new tenancy are a lot harder to find if money has become tight.

I don’t judge anybody for finding themselves in a mess, it’s the whole housing system that’s wrong.

We would just find a cheaper property. There are plenty cheaper but not in the best areas or much smaller. You can always find a job even with a pay cut. Worst case scenario, we go stay in our caravan for a bit while we sort things out. There is always a way out but I would never stay in a property where I could't afford the rent.

Blackpool_Saver

Murphybear wrote: »

You can't ask a tenant to leave just because they've lost their job and the insurance company wouldn't like them

What DOES happen in this case?

Red-Squirrel_2

Mela322 wrote: »

Worst case scenario, we go stay in our caravan for a bit while we sort things out.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry, but I had to laugh, that is really not the worst case scenario for most people who find themselves struggle to pay rent! You are very fortunate.

silvercar

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

What DOES happen in this case?

Nothing.

Tenant is not obliged to inform landlord they have lost their job.

The insurer that I have seen that won't take a property where the tenants are not working only requires that they are working at the time they start the tenancy.