Lettings Agents...again

[NickyEds]

Dp and I are currently looking for a place to rent. I've always been really lucky in that we've dealt with ll rather than lettings agents. I've posted before asking if having to provide 3 months bank statements was normal and apparently it is so we've just had to stomach it. Filled in an application form last an I'm stunned at the things they wanted to know. I can totally understand wanting referees, pay slips, Id etc. I get wanting to know if we've ever been evicted or lost a deposit. We are more than happy to provide LL details, referees, current work details etc. But ffs, this one wanted to know:

-Provide details of all investments/stocks/shares and copies of savings accounts statements
-Who is your current internet service provider?
-Who is your mobile phone with?
-Do you have private health insurance? Who with?
-Please give details of your pensions provisons/providers (we're 35)
-Who is your current insurance provider?

I was actually shown the property by the LL and she seemed very normal, interested in things like were we smokers, pet owners etc. I can imagine she gives a shit about who we have our mobiles with.
AIBU in thinking that this is not for the benefit of the LL but that the contemptable bastards are not content with making money from admin/signing on/referencing they also want to sell my information on?

I've no intention of ever using either Facebook or Twitter, the 'reason' they gave was ease of being able to communicate with the people they let to

I could have set up my own accounts of course but it was very odd that they asked and of course if I set up fake ones I wouldn't ever have used them.

It was one of those rare AIBU where everyone agreed when I asked if I was BU!

AyeAmarok It would be against the principles, but it wouldn't necessarily be against the act directly unless their registration didn't list those things. The ICO would need to decide if they were reasonable to achieve their aims, for a rental property I would've thought not.

We've found our last 4 tenants through Gumtree; the finders fee charged by the LA was a joke, especially having done it for free!! What we did get from our sole use of a LA was a superb set of photos that my dh uses each time we advertise......so we've had our money's worth ;)

Being a private LL can be a bit nerve racking initially but a decent deposit and basic background checks have worked so far. Sounds like your LA are cheats: maybe go elsewhere or try to discuss with the LL?