Landlord has not provided any document when moving in

RAS

Make sure they keep any records of money transfer. And write to the LL asking for a bank account into which to pay rent.

I'd start by spending £3 downloading the deeds to check that the LL owns the property? It's possible they rent it and are sub-letting? If he doesn't own it, check the previous years' electoral roll to see who has lived there. As a basic, plug in the LL's name and the address into 192.com, but be aware that only covers people on the public register. The full one can be accessed via the Council.

Do they have working fire alarms? If not obtain for their own safety.

Give it a month, six weeks and check all three deposit schemes? If the LL hasn't protected the deposit, they can claim back the deposit (providing they have proof they paid it) and 1x3 times as a penalty for non-protection.

But all this assumes that they actually know who the landlord is in real life. As suing a shadow is more difficult. 

IamWood

Thank you all for all the valuable advice.

It makes sense to leave it for a while to see what's going to happen as the boys are still on summer break and my son won't be living there in a month.

It is the first time they have rented themselves. They lived in university accommodation for their first year. They are shocked when I asked them if they had received these documents.

Hopefully, they can learn something from it.

Thanks very much again.

RAS

They will have a University "tenancy support officer", possibly university staff, possibly via the Student Union.

I'd suggest they change the locks (look up on youtube) as the LL is using it as his address, particularly if they are not going to be there over the next few weeks. 

And your son or his mates use the next month to talk to the tenancy support people about the situation. By September, the staff be completely overloaded with problems.

IamWood

@RAS

Thanks!

I have downloaded the title of the property.

The surname matches the surname given in the contract. However, the first name is different.

The house was bought in June 2021 with a mortgage and owned by a couple, but the contract is only signed by one man.

propertyrental

IamWood said:

@RAS

Thanks!

I have downloaded the title of the property.

The surname matches the surname given in the contract. However, the first name is different.

The house was bought in June 2021 with a mortgage and owned by a couple, but the contract is only signed by one man.

That does not sound like a problem, though it is still possible (likely?) they/he have a residential mortgage not a BTL, hence using the property address. But that is really a matter between LL and lender (though could provide a means to negotiate if relations ever break down)

TripleH

The gas is the immediate issue, assuming the property has gas, I would be getting a carbon monoxide detector for the house as I assume one is not installed?

The other points are all tools in your armoury for later if need be.

If the property is recently purchased, its probable that you have a landlord unaware of their duties and responsibilities and the previous tenants also were not clued up.

Mr.Generous

Was there a letting agent involved or did they find it through social media?

IamWood

The boys found it through Rightmove. The house was advertised by openrent.

Mr.Generous

I asked because all the documents are put online by my agent and tenants have to look at them and click to acknowledge they have read and understood them. At tenancy end there have been instances where they claim they were given nothing until reminded.

dimbo61

It will cost you nothing to check the EPC register and see if the property has a valid EPC and what the rating is 

https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

You are Not the tenant your son is and waiting 30+ days  to see if the deposit has been protected or not could mean a payout to your son.
If the property is in a selective licence area and does not have the correct licence your Son and his friends could also apply for a Rent Repayment Order ( RRO)

For the safety of your son and his friends please check if the property has a valid Gas Safe Certificate , EICR, Working smoke alarms, CO ALARM.  
Depending on the property it may require Fire doors as well.
Accomadation  in London is in crisis and student accomadation even more so !

Mortgage rates have climbed to levels not seen since 2008 and like many homeowners many Landlords are seeing massive increases in mortgage costs 😳 

I read in many articles about tenants in London facing rental costs of £600 A WEEK 😢 

As a responsible Parent I would fit a CO Alarm near the boiler , Gas hob, gas fire ??? and Smoke alarms in the hallway and landing 
I would also take lots of photos when your Son moves in.
Buy yourself a socket checker plug 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-ms6860d-16a-socket-tester-230v-ac/91596?kpid=91596&cm_mmc=Google-_-Datafeed-_-Tools?kpid=KINASEKPID&cm_mmc=Google-_-TOKEN1-_-TOKEN2&ds_rl=1244066&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkqSlBhDaARIsAFJANkiDUiMkBRhlF12AoYayWB7QjVmcMsH9eMMEDo5OQl3u3tkb3H-buHYaAnf2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

go round the house and check all the sockets