Landlord Reference for tenant: Advice

[Paris85]

I rent out one property which I manage myself. The LA sourced and referenced the tenant and also collected the rent. I recently gave notice to the tenant, as I discovered they were operating a dog day care and animal boarding facility. It’s been acrimonious and there has been damage to the property. In a conversation with the LA, they informed me that they had been approached for a reference and gave a positive one, on the basis that they never defaulted on rent. They said the referencing company didn’t ask for landlord details but they say they informed them that they did not manage the tenancy themselves. I feel a sense of responsibility to the new landlord and know their details. I really feel that the LA have protected this tenant to the detriment of their new landlord. Should I consider contacting them to share information (the tenants are still advertising/operating their business) or should I just leave well alone and accept that the problem has moved elsewhere. This doesn’t sit well with me but I don’t want to be liable for action by the tenant either! Advice welcome!

[JK0]

Yeah, absolutely warn the other guy. Won't you be stuck with the dog sitters, though?

[Paris85]

They’ve actually left and I’m now repairing my property and in dispute over returning their deposit. The tenant is in the new property already. The LA say the referencing agency didn’t ask the ‘relevant questions’ so all they could do was confirm that the rent was paid. The tenant may well have forged refs from me or maybe the new LA accepted them as rent was paid up. I’d have to contact the new LA uninvited and make a disclosure. I’m worried that the tenant may have grounds to complain and I’m not sure of the legal position as no one has asked me for a reference.

[JK0]

I've come to the conclusion that letting agents take the 'Stevie Wonder' approach to checking out tenants - Have you read about my tenant with 20 fish tanks in a 2 bed flat? -

I think maybe it's the actual landlord you need to contact. Pay land registry £4 for his details I believe.

[Paris85]

Thanks, that sounds like good advice. My letting agent knows about the damage to our property and it would have been so easy for them to pass the referencing company onto me. I couldn’t believe they’d given them a reference to glide on in to another property with their posse of animals! I’ll check out your fish tank post, sounds like a nightmare. I’m up to my eyes in repairing the property and sorting out evidence for the dps dispute and no rental income in sight - maybe doggy day care is a more lucrative career path!

[mariner]

Bit late asking for advice now.

[theartfullodger]

Follow agent's complaint processes. If still unhappy, letting agent redress scheme.

[Paris85]

Thank you, I’ll do this. In the meantime, I do know the tenant’s new property address and the agent who let it, purely because it’s very close to my home. Is it unwise to approach the agent and could I have comeback from the tenant for doing so, uninvited? When I asked my own LA why they hadn’t directed the referencing company to me, they said it was up to the tenant to do this. The LA has been detached from any issues related to my property damage and deposit dispute, saying that I manage it myself so they can’t intervene. This is fair enough but when it came to a reference, they stepped in to oblige the tenant, rather than direct the referencing company to me. I suppose I’d like to be fair to the new property agent but am nervous that the tenant will say I pursued them unfairly.

[JK0]

See if you get your deposit money (bet you don't) and make up your mind then.