Heywoods welcomes landlord review system
A Staffordshire letting agency is backing government plans to launch a new website, which would allow private tenants to post reviews about landlords and their accommodation.
Heywoods estate agents and letting specialists, whose office is based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, said that the proposed scheme would provide a welcome boost to the private rental sector and would help to force out disreputable agents and landlords.
The company stressed that most agencies worked hard to maintain the quality of their portfolio of properties by vetting landlords, carrying out regular inspections and fixing any problems that arose quickly and easily.
Nevertheless, it said that a review system would give anyone considering renting a property added assurance before handing over a deposit and signing on the dotted line.
The website is just one of a number of proposals that the Labour administration has presented to Parliament, as part of a drive to shake up the privately rented sector and increase the overall supply of housing.
The government also wants to launch a National Landlord Register and create a new housing advice hotline for tenants experiencing problems with their landlord.