Invasive questions on rental application...

[CandlesBlanketsandTea]

I'm being evicted as my landlord wants to cash in on the booming housing market, so I'm trying to organise viewings. Because of the limited number of properties some estate agents are asking for you to complete an application form. So far I've been asked for the make, model and registration of my vehicle, which I didn't think was necessary information for a viewing. The current application I'm working on requires my bank details, 3 references and wants to know the length of my current relationship? I'm single so this is irrelevant but I don't think it's anyone's business. They've also written on the form that they will keep all your details indefinitely unless I inform them otherwise, isn't this breaching GDPR rules?! I'm so annoyed with everything to do with the housing market. Maybe I'm being unreasonable but I'm scared I'll be homeless and do worry about how this information could be used to discriminate against different groups in society.

In England all LL's are now required to make checks on potential tenants. This is over and above the normal references, etc.

www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/renting/right-to-rent-explained.aspx

Right to rent has been in place for some years. As the landlord gets the fine if they get it wrong, strong incentive to check.

Maybe the car thing is to quietly weed out van drivers?

@DroopyDaff

I’d put down that you drive a Ferrari OP . Say it’s in for a service when/if you turn up in a rust bucket for a viewing.

I might do this! 🤣 Thanks for making me laugh I'm pretty stressed about moving.

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

Maybe the car thing is to quietly weed out van drivers?

It could but I might drive a VW van because I love camping in it, should I be penalised for that when renting a property?

Depends on the area - where I am, ownership of a camper van could be a precursor to extended periods up on bricks for 'restoration' my ex did that for 4 years until his father got it scrapped or somebody living in it. I don't suppose the neighbours appreciated the noise and belching smoke out of it on the rare occasions he got it running, either.

I'm not saying it's right, I'm thinking of possible reasons for it.

Ugh I fucking hate renting.

The sooner S21 evictions are banned completely, the better.

@PollyPepper

Ugh I fucking hate renting.

The sooner S21 evictions are banned completely, the better.

Me too, it's so insecure. I've lived here over 5 years and get on with my neighbours, we are a strong, little community.

You could call the ICO. ico.org.uk/ They will be able to tell you.

As far as I understand they are not allowed to ask for unnecessary information. So they have to prove why they need what they are asking for at the time they are asking for it

As a landlord, I would never ask for relationship status/car ownership details. Also, they can't just "hold your details forever" as this goes against GDPR. Feel free to give certain details to them but then inform them that you've withdrawn your consent after which will force them to remove your data.

Best of luck with the move.

Can you contact Shelter and ask for their advice?

GDPR - Indefinitely is not appropriate, sounds as if trying to cover their backs in case they forget to destroy it.
But they are giving you the option to opt out and set a date/period.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'm just stressed about the whole thing, rental properties at the right price are as rare as rocking horse shit at the moment.

I've submitted the application form minus the bank details and I feel more comfortable with this. I've also stated that if my application isn't successful I want them to delete my information. Fingers crossed I get a viewing 🤞

@PollyPepper

Ugh I fucking hate renting.

The sooner S21 evictions are banned completely, the better.

I've lived in many countries and the UK is the worst for private renting.

Car registration leads to checking whether your car is owned, leased, MOT'd and insured.

They're checking whether you can afford the rent. It's like a mortgage application, checking income and outgoings and seeing what rent you can afford.

That’s crazily intrusive and actually quite amateurish.

@Gingernaut

Car registration leads to checking whether your car is owned, leased, MOT'd and insured.

They're checking whether you can afford the rent. It's like a mortgage application, checking income and outgoings and seeing what rent you can afford.

The application form I submitted today didn't ask for my car registration so I don't think it is relevant to renting a property.

The form where I was asked to submit my car information wasn't a full blown application it was one you completed ahead of viewings.

The intrusion and personal details have to be given to dodgy landlords who can be violent criminals or fraud people. That's what what victims of domestic violence who are unable to work are told to do by councils when approached for help. At risk of murder but tenants on benefits only allowed by dodgy maybe violent criminal landlords because others don't take you. No criminal or fraud checks needed to be landlord. Sorry not relevant for original poster sorry to add this. Hope people will stop blaming women for not leaving domestic violence if they realised.

So, I've got a viewing next Monday on the property I completed the application form for, minus bank details and now they've called and ask for a copy of my section 21 letter. Is this normal? I've never received one before so I've never had to produce one.

The only reason I can think of to ask for this is to confirm that it is a no fault eviction. Daft of them, most landlords use sec 21 even when they have drug dealers ( I did) because a sec 8 is so easily evaded, often with the help of Shelter. So it proves nothing.

I've redacted some of the information but scanned a copy, it doesn't make me feel good about this property. What I don't understand is why they need this when they will be getting a reference from my landlord.

Ignore the poster who said the notice was illegal. It isn't.

And the abolition of Section 21 still plans to allow for eviction if the LL plans to sell - so that would make no difference here.