Can you check out a landord?

poppett

Is there any way you can check out if a portential landlord is legit? I have posted a wanted ad on a local website and have had emails of property that seems too good to be true..I know the old saying. I was just wondering if there was some way I could check out this guy before agreeing to viewings etc. I had this feeling today that he could be scamming to run off with our deposit etc. His property is about £150 cheaper than similar properties AND he says it includes all bills!:eek: The photo's he sent shows an immaculate place, which if it was mine I would certainly be asking top whack.

Any advice welcome and appreciated.

clutton_2

go and see it first - ask if he is a member of a professional landlords body - such as National Landlords Association - ask which deposit scheme he is using - ask if he has other properties can you talk to some of his other tenants - ask how long he has been a landlord - ask how many properties he has - ask if he has his Lenders permission to rent

jaype

Beware - saw something similar to this in the Guardian or Times recently. people were shown round then asked to pay a holding fee or something. Naturally, the person showing them round was never seen again and their mobile mysteriously went dead.

Gingernutmeg

I've heard of this happening so many times, lovely, suspiciously cheap property, potential tenant pays a deposit and then the 'landlord' disappears - it wasn't an ad on Gumtree was it? Personally I'd be wary ...

Bungarm2001

Be very very careful.

If you go and see this place, take someone with you (sorry, just my deeply suspicious mind)

Do everything you have been advised to do, ask all the above questions (sound advice from Cluuton) but always remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. This sounds suspiciously like a very cheap lunch...DON'T part with any money..give no personal details, including your current address

Good luck

real1314

When you view, ask for the landlords address, then check it out via land registry? Should cost £2-3 approx? Better than getting stiffed for £150. They'd need to give an address anyway to send your application form etc to.

Or if it's a registered business via companies house instead. Of course either way is not foolproof, but it's better than nowt.

janegresty

I would def ask for ALL his details and wouldn't give him any money up front.
I put an ad on Gumtree last week and also got an email with pictures of a property I was on the look out for. Wanted me to come and view it. It was £50 a month cheaper than other properties around here and also said bills were included in that price. I followed my instincts and ignored it.
The only problem with Gumtree is that private landlords use it also, which leaves it open to scammers.
I would think if he is a genuine LL then when you go to view the property he will be able to give you his name, address and phone number. And even then he can give you fake details! So once you have his details you can then try a bit of research on google.
Good luck with finding somewhere to live.
We found a house on Gumtree last week with a private LL and we move in the morning. So there are some perfect houses out there if you keep looking.

poppett

Thanks for all your replies. Yes the ad was on Gumtree and I have had several replies, all of them asking me to tell them what I require ..... ummm my advert stated that. I am very wary about this one and don't think I will bother with it. I'll just keep looking.