Tenants are to be given access to free advice on rental issues from landlords as part of a new service launched by Ideal Flatmate.
The flat sharing website, which matches tenants with each other based on shared interests, is running monthly “Ask the Landlord” sessions.
Renters will be able to submit questions to a different landlord each month that will be answered on the firm’s website and social media channels.
Some examples include asking what should they do if they have lost their keys, concerns about a party that got out of hand, or how best to renew a contract.
Tom Gatzen, co-founder of Ideal Flatmate, said: “As an organisation that bridges the gap between renters and landlords, we’ve witnessed so many landlords genuinely take a great care and interest over who is in their property and how they can support them.
“We wanted to provide a platform for renters to take advantage of some of these great landlords and ask for any help or advice. It’s important we do as much as we can to help the rising number of renters who are often unsure about the confusing and complex elements to rental living.”
Ideal Flatmate was setup in 2016 by former flatmates Gatzen and Rob Imonikhe and has been backed by Greene & Co founder David Pollock.
It lets both landlords and lettings agents list properties.
The campaign has been backed by the National Landlords Association (NLA).
Chris Norris, director of policy and practice at the NLA, said: “The majority of landlords are good at what they do and provide decent homes for their tenants.
“However, they’re not the ones you normally hear about. We’re extremely pleased to support Ideal Flatmate’s launch of Ask the Landlord and look forward to seeing it showcase the large number of decent landlords in the market.”
Vanessa Warwick, co-founder of landlord forum PropertyTribes.com, has also shown her support.
She added: “I was delighted to learn of Ideal Flatmate’s initiative to engage with tenants and landlords and assist them in making wiser choices when renting.
“The vast majority of landlords are decent and honest people who want to provide a safe, ethical and compliant service for their tenants, so anything that assists in connecting good tenants with professionally-minded landlords is a very positive thing.
“This campaign comes at a time when the spotlight is very firmly on the private rented sector and it is very clear that the Government is intent on raising standards.”
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