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Debzi
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 11:52 am Post subject: Documents from a Private Landlord |
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Hi
If I do manage to find a flat via a private landlord - there don't seem to be many about - what documents should I be asking them for to ensure they are legitimate? I have heard people mention a copy of their passport - is this necessary? - and what about something to prove they own the flat? |
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jombag16
Joined: 11 May 2008
Posts: 10
Location: notts
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: Documents from a Private Landlord |
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| Debzi wrote: | Hi
If I do manage to find a flat via a private landlord - there don't seem to be many about - what documents should I be asking them for to ensure they are legitimate? I have heard people mention a copy of their passport - is this necessary? - and what about something to prove they own the flat? |
hi perhaps you can ask for a copy of their passport- although this can be forged. but you can do your own investigation by phoning the police or asking the embassy if this person is legitimate.
as for the ownership of the flat- you can ask for a copy of certificate of title. and go to the nearest land office to inquire if its legitimate.
it will take some time for you but its the best way
thanks |
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Bluey
Community Moderator
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 4732
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone can download the ownership details of every property in England/Wales from the landregistry online service - costs about £3.
You could ask for mortgage statements to prove they own it or photo ID.
The Police do not give a toss about tenancy/landlord problems and see them as civil matters. An embassy is likely to cite lack of data or data confidentiality as a reason why they won't give out personal information. |
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Debzi
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks Bluey |
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Bluey
Community Moderator
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 4732
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Should have also reminded you to follow the 'Stay Safe' tips when searching for accommodation and this advice also includes viewing properties in person and never wiring money to people claiming to be 'landlords'.
http://www.gumtree.com/help/stay_safe#item73 |
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Penant The Tenant
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| Bluey wrote: | Anyone can download the ownership details of every property in England/Wales from the landregistry online service - costs about £3.
You could ask for mortgage statements to prove they own it or photo ID |
Both of which can be made up to the name shown on the land registry |
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crabs
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 612
Location: london
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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| The best thing is too write a cheque and get the keys at the same time you sign the contract, then after you sign go st8 to the flat and see if the keys open the door. |
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Bluey
Community Moderator
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 4732
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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| crabs wrote: | | The best thing is too write a cheque and get the keys at the same time you sign the contract, then after you sign go st8 to the flat and see if the keys open the door. |
You jest - landlords don't hand over keys until the funds have cleared.
Plus, unfortunately, in the minority of scams where the scammer actually poses as the landlord but doesn't actually own the property, they will hand out a working key
...just that they hand it out to handfuls of different tenants each of whom have paid a months rent and a months deposit... |
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Debzi
Joined: 27 Apr 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject: |
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| oh well I think I'm back to going through an agent! |
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Bluey
Community Moderator
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 4732
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| Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| To be honest, not that it's any consolation, landlords statistically probably have more chance of encountering dodgy tenants proferring fake ID and references than scammers posing in person as landlords... |
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Penant The Tenant
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| Bluey wrote: | | To be honest, not that it's any consolation, landlords statistically probably have more chance of encountering dodgy tenants proferring fake ID and references than scammers posing in person as landlords... |
correct & it would appear over the last 6 months on Gumtree.com its got worse. |
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