Landlords have been warned that ‘safer renting’ schemes could be a trap by having them disclose information that could be used against them – if they’re not following the rules.
The schemes are run by councils and ask landlords to declare compliance with various regulations, as well as information about their properties.
They are designed to improve tenant standards and safety by encouraging collaboration with landlords.
Phil Turtle of Landlord Licensing & Defence said: “The concern lies in the potential for these schemes to act as a trap for unsuspecting landlords.
“By participating, landlords could be inadvertently providing information that could be used against them in the future.”
He added: “The way the collected information will be used and stored is often unclear.
“Landlords may be unaware of how this information could impact them in the future.”
Landlord Licensing & Defence said landlords thinking of joining a scheme should follow the following tips:
- Before joining any Safer Renting scheme, carefully review its requirements and how the information will be used;
- Consult with a specialist in landlord housing law and compliance to understand the potential implications of participating;
- Maintain meticulous records of all property maintenance, inspections and tenant communication to help defend against any future allegations.