Hi. Is it normal for the tenancy agreement to come through over email and request of payments to be made through other means? Ie not through open rent? As the new landlord has requested payment through alternative Methods?
Not every landlord uses the openrent tenancy agreement process so Contracts coming by alternative means and payments otherwise than Openrent are common.
You just need to be more cautious to make sure that the landlord is genuine and you’re not being scammed, so checks on land registry etc might be recommended.
When openrent issue the tenancy agreement to be signed they also do so electronically and it’s signed electronically.
As @Karl11 says many LLs use OR just for advertising purposes and not for tenancy creation or to collect a holding deposit, collect the rent or put your security deposit (if required) in one of the govt approved deposit schemes. To cover yourself you should seek evidence the LL is the owner of the property and ask them which deposit scheme they will use and satisfy yourself they are genuine.
There’s detailed guidance from nrla on how to try to avoid scams and protect yourself here
If the property is in an area which needs licensing (or is an hmo) you can possibly check with the local council if it’s licensed. Some other ways to check below
Good luck
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Yes, you can check if your landlord is registered
. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, registration is mandatory and searchable online through official databases. In England, there is no national landlord register, but you can check if they are a licensed agent, use the Land Registry to confirm ownership, or check with your local council.
Urban Jungle Insurance +1
How to Check Registration (By Region):
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Scotland: Search the Landlord Registration Scotland database.
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Wales: Use the Rent Smart Wales public register to check for landlord or agent licenses.
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Northern Ireland: Search the NI Direct landlord registration scheme.
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England:
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Local Council: Contact your local council’s private renting team, as some areas have selective licensing schemes.
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Land Registry: Check the HM Land Registry to find the registered owner of the property for a fee (approx. £7).
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Letting Agent: Ask the agent for the landlord’s address, which they must provide within 21 days.
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Ombudsman: Check if the landlord is part of the Housing Ombudsman.
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Other Ways to Verify Your Landlord:
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Check your tenancy agreement for the landlord’s name and address.
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Ask for a valid Gas Safety Certificate, which should list the landlord or agent’s details.
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Confirm your deposit is registered with a deposit protection scheme.