Tenants should have access to a ratings website to give them more information on potential landlords, according to a consumer group.
In a survey of 2000 people, nine out of ten tenants, said a website on which people could share their landlord experiences would help them make more informed decisions before they signed their lease.
Consumer Focus said the majority of people renting in the private sector were not privvy to information about their landlord before signing a tenency agreement.
By contrast, landlords and letting agents are able to ask tenants for references, deposits, a guarantor and other personal and financial information.
The watchdog has approached some of the nations largest letting agents and deposit protection schemes calling on them to set up the eBay-styled feedback websites.
Being a tenant is a big financial commitment for tenants at a time when the average one-bedroom property costs ?816 a month to rent.
The group found that a quarter of those surveyed had complaints regarding their landlords over the past two years.
In a survey of 2000 people, nine out of ten tenants, said a website on which people could share their landlord experiences would help them make more informed decisions before they signed their lease.
Consumer Focus said the majority of people renting in the private sector were not privvy to information about their landlord before signing a tenency agreement.
By contrast, landlords and letting agents are able to ask tenants for references, deposits, a guarantor and other personal and financial information.
The watchdog has approached some of the nations largest letting agents and deposit protection schemes calling on them to set up the eBay-styled feedback websites.
Being a tenant is a big financial commitment for tenants at a time when the average one-bedroom property costs ?816 a month to rent.
The group found that a quarter of those surveyed had complaints regarding their landlords over the past two years.
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