Mortgage company want Landlords details?

[BetteDavis01]

I'm currently applying for a mortgage as a first time buyer. I currently rent and my LL is great. The broker I am using, who has found me my mortgage and is doing the application for me; has asked for my LL contact details as apparently this is a requirement.

I feel very uneasy about this because of several reasons: firstly, I don't want my LL knowing that I plan on moving out; just incase my house sale falls through and secondly; I don't think it's right to hand out his details to a third party.

I need to ask the question, but haven't yet as to why they need to know this? What has it got to do with them? I can prove that I pay my rent each month without fail by producing bank statements.

Has anyone heard of this? I really do not want to hand out my LL details.

[BetteDavis01]

Bump!

[Greengrow]

Under the new rules lenders can be as strict as they like. Some are even asking how much people spend on meals out never mind what their childcare costs are. So I don't think the question is illegal. However you are being asked to pass personal data of the landlord over. They probably want to find out if you pay the rent on time which is not an unreasonable request as it is probably the best way to assess if someone is a good tenant.
I think you may just have to live with the risk the landlord is told you might possibly move out. You could always spin it to the landlord with a quick email saying a lender might be in touch but you have no immediate plans to move.

[Hereward1332]

They will want to check you pay on time, and confirm the amount of rent being paid. Your bank statement will show a certain amount leaving your account each month, but could be paid to anyone. They may also ask your landlord to confirm the length of time you have lived there - paying over a longer period confirms that it is affordable.

[BristolRover]

does your LL use a managing agent? you could quite legitimately ask them to provide you with a landlord's reference without saying what it's for - it's a pretty standard credit check. They'll make you pay for it of course.