Is there a way to vet landlords?

[plantsitter]

As a tenant I always get vetted by agents/landlords, which I have to pay for each time. Then I pay 6 weeks rent as a deposit - another safety valve for the landlord. My current landlords are great and fix things immediately and pretty much leave us alone, but I've had some bad experiences with landlords who don't do what you ask, are impossible to get hold of or always popping round, or are ridiculously unfair with what they call 'fair wear and tear' when it comes to repaying the deposit. I do understand all the vetting etc but is there anywhere tenants can check up on landlords? A website or something? And if I made one would I have to be really careful legally?

It's called being a sleuth. It is amazing what you can find out about someone on the internet - even as an amateur.

Start with www.192.com

There really should be some kind of "blacklist" for landlords who abuse their position.

I try to rent directly from a landlord so I can meet them in person, and at least ask questions like "how many properties do you rent out", "how long have you been in the business", "are you likely to want to sell up in the next few years"... asking about their experience with previous tenants is a good idea, if they express outrage about what sounds like minor wear and tear they are probably deposit thieves. Horror at untidy tenants suggests they pop around too often. Annoyance at necessary repairs indicates that they might be difficult when it comes to getting things fixed.

If you must deal with an agency, ask around about them and google for experiences or even news stories. Some agencies have a terrible reputation with good reason. Others are okay and you can ask them about the landlord and what they have been like to deal with.

If you are in Scotland then all landlords must be registered with the Scottish Goverment by law and you can check this on the internet. Not sure if England have something similar though.

They have to register the deposit now with a recognised board so the days of stealing deposits should be over, if they don't report them and give the inland revenue a call at the same time.

jojoisamum - that is interesting, my landlord does not appear to be registered

Thanks for that 192 link - I think I have found a new internet addiction! [saddo emoticon]

Upwind. If your landlord is not registered here

www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/Pages/Process.aspx?Command=ShowHomePage

t hen report him. As I said it is only for Scottish Landlords though. By reporting him though you need to make sure that he's not awaiting registration as this is still ongoing.