A letting agent and landlord reviews website has secured agreements from Oxford Student Union and Oxford City Council to promote its services to tenants.

Both groups will encourage tenants to share their renting experience on website Marks Out of Tenancy.

The site, launched last April, lets tenants review and rate their landlord or lettings agents.

Agents and landlords can respond to feedback and can also complain if they feel reviews are unfair.

Oxford Student Union said in a statement: “Renting a house as a student in Oxford is difficult.

“This is often the first time students rent, and information comparing different letting agents, landlords and houses is hard to come by.

“With Marks Out Of Tenancy, students can have a better idea of where they’re going to be calling home for the next year before they sign anything.”

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, board member for planning and regulatory services, added: “Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a decent home which is safe, warm and secure. Poor quality housing has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of the people who live in it.

“The City Council sets and enforces minimum standards for Oxford’s private rented sector housing. This new scheme for tenants to rate their experience of renting a home will help to apply pressure to the poorest landlords to improve towards the standards of the best.

“We must continue to tackle poor quality housing, to benefit the health of all Oxford’s residents and the quality of the city environment.”