Landlords are being advised to approach council-run ‘Safer Renting’ schemes with caution, as collected information could potentially be used against them. Phil Turtle, a representative from legal advisors Landlord Licensing & Defence, has raised concerns about a possible “hidden agenda” behind these initiatives.

In an effort to enhance tenant protection, a growing number of councils are advocating for these schemes, urging landlords to participate. Tenants are encouraged to rent only from landlords who are part of the ‘Safer Renting’ program.

However, Turtle warns that these schemes could serve as traps for landlords. “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 says.

Admission of Guilt

A key issue is that landlords are required to declare compliance with various regulations, which could be seen as an admission of guilt if a violation is later discovered by the council. Additionally, councils may lack complete information on a landlord’s properties, and joining the scheme could inadvertently fill these gaps.

“The way the collected information will be used and stored is often unclear,” Turtle explains, adding that landlords might be unaware of the future implications of this data.

Crucial Considerations

“It’s crucial that landlords understand their rights and obligations, and approach these ‘Safer Renting’ schemes with caution,” Turtle emphasizes.

Landlord Licensing & Defence advises that before committing to any Safer Renting scheme, landlords should thoroughly review the requirements and understand how their information will be utilized.