We’re interested to read that the government is planning to set up a new website on which tenants can post their views about their landlord and rented accommodation. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertynews/7149386/Tenants-given-new-right-to-post-feedback-on-landlords-on-internet.html
This throws up a few concerns for buy to let landlords, as well as being a good thing in some eyes.
Firstly, we hope that the site is going to be managed and moderated properly, with all claims being verified. Although supposedly based on Trip Advisor we’d hate to see it relegated to the level of Trip Advisor, which is plagued with claims of fake reviews and often berated for not verifying negative claims against holiday property owners.
Secondly we hope that landlords have the right to reply - there are always two sides to every story, and everyone has the right to be heard.
Of course, there’s a good side to this too - landlords who take particular care of their tenants and properties should find it easy to gain better reviews and in turn eager tenants. It’s also possible that landlords will use higher ratings in order to secure higher rents, so we’ll be interested to see how this one goes.
What are your thoughts, either as a prospective tenant or as a buy to let property owner?
Tags: Buy-to-let, landlords, rented accomodation, rents, tenants