I have applied for several flats on OpenRent and I request to click Rent Now. Then the landlord wants to go outside OpenRent for the holding deposit and/or they want lots of documents, and they won’t say whether Rent Now is even an option. So I’m being asked for personal documents with no guarantee that the holding deposit will be held by OpenRent. This happens again and again. Can there be a checkbox on the landlord’s profile or listing, to say whether they intend to use OpenRent ?
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A large number of landlords just use Openrent for advertising and handle everything else themselves, including myself. This doesnt mean theyre scammers or even bad landlords. However, I would recommend that you ask for their GDPR privacy notice and possibly ICO registration number before sharing sensitive information directly. This should tell you how they use, store and ultimately dispose of your data. I would also request proof of ownership of the property before handing over any money.
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I think OpenRent make sure that the advertiser (or their client) has ownership of the property. As the tenant, I would have to ask for photo ID from the landlord, verify that photo ID, then verify the name against the Land Registry. This is why it only really works if the landlord uses the Rent Now facility through OpenRent.
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in 40 years I have never been asked for ID as a landlord by the tenant
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Yes exactly, the tenant is never in a position to verify the landlord, so estate agents normally do this.
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I don’t ‘think” OR check ownership at all as such but they probably cant/won’t rent unless LL supplies EPC gas and safety certificates to serve to tenant, which people other than owner may not have. Sensible LLs change locks between tenants so nobody else should have a key. (I know of a former tenant entering communal hallway to collect/check post till we changed locks then she visited letting agent and was told she had no right to trespass).
Instead my understanding is OR delay passing 1st month’s rent to LL.by up to 10 working days. That way if a LL doesn’t supply keys on day 1 /early in tenancy (either because not owner or no intention to rent).then tenant can tell OR and get the 1st month’s rent and deposit back. @mod_harry can say whether I’ve got that right
I have def been asked by agents for proof of ownership
There’s a risk the other way too I’ve heard of from agents…people who rent with no intent to live in a place and sublet illegally - even with all the referencing because LLs rightly can’t enter unannounced (unless to deal with an emergency I think) they depend on neighbours and inspections to find out
Best
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Yes Open Rent say this in their help section:
“The 10 day waiting period is one of our lines of defence against rogue landlords. As we don’t always visit the property ourselves, we have to be reasonably sure the property is available, under ownership of the OpenRent landlord, and has been moved into before transferring the tenant’s money.”
This is why going through OpenRent is highly advisable. Landlords who refuse to go through OpenRent could declare this with a checkbox on their profile or listing. This would make it more transparent for tenants.
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OR or a lettings agency (who will check ownership and do the deposit stuff) if they are dealing with tenancy not just the viewings
It’s just like any other purchase, you shouldn’t hand over cash for a used car without checking ownership or buy a concert ticket without checking the website selling is legit or give large sums to a roofer who knocks on your door to say there’s a hole in your roof. If you are foolish enough to risk handing over large sums to anyone without checking their credentials you are likely to be vulnerable and may well get scammed. Sadly. But you sound much more clued up.
Tbh I’m skeptical about an intent tick box. Rogue landlords will tick anyway then tell prospective tenant keen to move in that they need to receive direct and tenant will still either trust them and get scammed, or won’t. Just like tenants who tell LL they will be only occupant then move a partner or relative in. Fortunately or unfortunately there is only so much that can be checked in advance
Good luck
tenant can check who owns the property with Land Registry
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Can confirm what you’ve said here is correct @David240.
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How many of the properties have you been to view before you want to click ‘rent now’ button.? Have you met and spoken face to face with the LL ?
You are welcome to limit your property selection to those that use RentNow, but you are severely limiting your options by doing that and for no reason. All you have to do is ask the landlord for a copy of the property insurance policy. If they can produce one, then they almost certainly own it. Sometimes landlords allow tenants or others to sub-let, but verifying this involves more steps.
How would I verify the authenticity of the property insurance policy ? Why can’t I just engage with landlords who want to use the OpenRent platform for the escrow and contract creation, so then OpenRent protects me.
I don’t have time to go and meet every landlord who will then flip the tables, and suddenly wants the holding deposit sent to themselves. If they are only using OpenRent for advertising, then they can declare that with a simple checkbox, and then I can avoid them.
Good luck with your search .
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I don’t need luck. What I need is a checkbox.
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@Chris17 or just ask them in your standard 1st set of questions when applying. For other tenants there will be other questions just as important to sort out before viewing eg if they have 2 large dogs and a budgie whether flat is suitable (illegal for LLs to rule out pets in the ad and under RRA not to consider)
On other foot - how would you feel if LLs required tenants to fill in a box saying ‘willing to be fully referenced including employment, previous LL, rent payments made on time, credit’ or ‘will provide guarantor who can be referenced’ ? It would help LLs rule out some folk…
It’s all about communication- if you want a robot or AI to find you a tenancy after you fill in a very long questionnaire that lets you filter every possible combination of requirements you’re going to be waiting a while yet
If you want to guarantee a LL who will use a proper deposit scheme don’t use OR which is a listings site aimed at DIY landlords only some of whom use their further service. Look on Rightmove instead where most people look anyway and choose the ads where a lettings agency is shown as the contact because they almost always will be doing deposit too. But even then you have to check/ask. Simples.
Yes this is exactly what they all ask - ‘willing to be fully referenced including employment, previous LL, rent payments made on time, credit’
This is fine but they want the holding deposit paid to themselves, instead of just using OpenRent’s escrow service.
Then they want to go beyond the basic referencing, otherwise the holding deposit is forfeit.
When I buy something nowadays, I am protected in so many ways. Purchases have a 14 day cooling off period. Credit cards give refunds up to 90 days. Escrows for B2B purchases.
But for some reason, there is no consumer protection for these holding deposits.
You don’t need a checkbox. What you need is a place to live.
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“But for some reason, there is no consumer protection for these holding deposits.”
Total Nonsense. There is a clear presumption under tenancy fees act 2019 and now RRA that holding deposits will be returned in full except in very specific circumstances. LAs will be able to fine £5000 (1st offence) or up to £30,000 for LLs who breach the law on holding deposits. Thats a whole lot more protection and much more specific in law than you get for most products or services.
Breaking the rules on holding deposits is an offence see here
Holding deposits Holding deposits
And some case decisions listed at link at bottom of that page by the tribunal includes where LLs have wrongly tried to retain a holding deposit (or more than the week rent allowed) and judgements have gone against them
-consumer protection in action.
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