Not only landlord wants to be protected and prefer to make a proper due-diligence of prospective tenants. Likewise, tenants should be more vigilant, in particularly with private landlords who rent out a property without estate agency.
10 Tips vetting a landlord:
1. To verify whether landlord is owner of rental property. You can request online a copy of register Title from Land Registry. It cost £3 per document. To check ownership of a property in Scotland use a Register of Scotland, in Northern Ireland – Land & Property Services (LPS). Be careful, use only official government site. In Land registry document you could find who is the mortgage lenders or shared owner.
2. If property was mortgaged tenant may check whether landlord have consent to let.
3. Check EPC certificate. From 1st October landlord has obligation to provide free of charge EPC report to the tenants.
4. If property locates in Scotland or Northern Ireland check that landlord has a license. Also, there are local requirement for landlord licensing in some area. That’s why it is worst to check local council site whether landlords have such obligation.
5. Check landlord name in CCJ register and bankruptcy/insolvency register. Searching in the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines cost £4 per section.
6. Make some informal check in social network.
7. Ask a landlord a permission to make a credit check.
8 . Check landlord’s ID, passport or driving license.
9. Don’t hesitate to speak with former tenants or neighbours where it possible.
10. Ask landlord his address and latest utility bill. It is law requirement to provide address to the tenants.