Can I trace/contact a landlord who hides behind his agents?

[Andy Start]

Is it possible to find out who the landlord is for a property currently being let by an agent?

And if so, would it be considered proactive business or bad practice to then get in contact with that landlord? In the same way, for example, that my energy suplier's competitors contact me.

[Daytona]

Yes, all property transactions since ~1999 have to be registered, and can be viewed on the Land Registry Online website for £2.

The NAEA and ARLA rules forbid it, I'd question whether that is actually a restriction of trade in a free market economy. As a landlord I'd welcome the choice, it's not as if I'm being forced to accept any advance is it ?

[Paul_f]

I don't know what Daytona is on about as a written request to the agent from the tenant as to the identity of the landlord MUST be provided within 21 days under S.1 Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 otherwise he will be committing a criminal offence.

[Worldlife]

Andy did not state that he was the tenant of the property. In fact I read the message as indicating Andy was a prospective tenant, for reasons best known to himself, wishing to by-pass the landlord's agent.

Agree if Andy is not a tenant then one way he can obtain the information he requires is to approach one of the tenants of the building in question. If it is a good landlord and agent the tenant will have this information already.

Presumably Dayton interpreted the question in the same way that I did and replied accordingly.

[justaboutsane]

The way I read it is that Andy is wanting to poach customers from letting agents! .. Myabe Andy can come back and clarify the situation!

[Worldlife]

On Daytona's suggestion concerning checking the Land Registry I cannot see how the Land Registry will become aware of an AST unless it is an agreement that requires Stamp Duty to be paid.

Would the Land Registry be sent a copy of any tenancy agreement stamped by Inland Revenue?

Alternatively might it be a requirement that an agreement between a Landlord and Managing Agent is lodged at the Land Registry where this involves substantial payments?

.... or will there be links with the proposed scheme to protect tenant's deposits.

I too now read the original post as potentially from someone trying to poach tenants for commercial reasons rather than a prospective tenant trying to contact a landlord to find his full list of vacant properties (managed or otherwise) The question concerning "considered proactive business or bad practice " reinforces this viewpoint.

[Andy Start]

Apologies if my thread seemed cryptic in any way. I would indeed be looking to "poach" customers from letting agents. In the same way Powergen, for example, is currently trying to poach customers from British Gas by saying its services are cheaper, I want to introduce landlords to my cheaper property management service. The essential difference being I don't want to fund an advertising campaign so I am looking to approach customers personally.

My question is, if it is not considered unethical, is there any way of contacting landlords to offer such a service. My aims would be two fold - i) to gain increased profit to my business ii) to provide a better service for landlords in my area by way of healthy competition.

I am currently a landlord myself and feel lettings provision has much room for improvement in my area. The business does not exist yet and I am initially looking for a way to approach landlords for research purposes.

I hope this clarifies. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Daytona]

No apology required Andy, you posted on the Letting Agent Questions forum so why people were so unhelpful god only knows.

Go ahead and contact them. If any agent complains post their details on the landlord and tenant forums as I’m sure that most landlords will resent an agent who attempts to stop someone communicating with them. Might also be worth contacting Trading Standards for their pov.

[Daytona]

Originally Posted by Worldlife

On Daytona's suggestion concerning checking the Land Registry I cannot see how the Land Registry will become aware of an AST unless it is an agreement that requires Stamp Duty to be paid.

Eh? Browse the information on the link provided, then perhaps you'll understand.