References Would Expose Rogue Landlords, Say Renters

Aug. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- 70% of renters think references would have stopped them getting ripped off by rogue landlords in the past

London, 27 August 2014: Renters feel they would have a better chance of avoiding rogue landlords if they were able to see feedback from previous tenants, according to research announced today by Movebubble, a new community platform for property rental, which asks landlords to provide testimonials.

While it’s standard practise for renters to have to provide references before they rent a property, landlords don’t have to do the same. 70% of the 1,000 renters questioned think references would have stopped them getting ripped off by rogue landlords in the past.

Showing just how risky it is for the UK’s nine million[1] (http://#_ftn1) (and rising) private renters to sign a contract under the current system, half of renters (49%) said that they would not have rented their property if they had had access to reviews from previous tenants, highlighting that renters are looking for quality landlords.

Aidan Rushby, CEO, Movebubble said: “Currently, renters don’t really have any idea who they’re renting from until it’s too late, especially if they’re using a letting agent. Rogue landlords can hide, and good landlords aren’t able to showcase their credentials and attract the best tenants.”

“We need landlords to provide references in the same way that renters do, so it’s a two-way street. 88% of renters think that references would lead to more reasonable behaviour, and therefore better tenancies for everyone.”

With Movebubble, both renters and landlords provide references which are visible to other users on the site when they interact with one another. This includes peer recommendations from employers, colleagues, previous renters and landlords and a star average rating system. Movebubble also shows average response times enabling users to gauge the effectiveness of one another.

Adam Leah, Founder, Generation-Rent.com said: “At generation-rent.com we have long been advocates of technology helping improve the tenant - landlord relationship more directly. What really would help both sides is a type of online two-way referencing system for rental transactions enabling them to develop better working relationships. That would lead to the tenants feeling more secure in their new home and the landlords more able to manage their property with ease.”

Logan Hall, CMO, Movebubble said “Two-way referencing will make the great landlords really stand out from the crowd and get better renters, and more sustainable rental income. If we can help people make the right choices and develop that all important renter-owner relationship then we can help build successful, hassle free tenancies. It’s a win-win situation.”

Movebubble (movebubble.com) offers a range of free tools to make renting a property easier, helping owners find the best renters, and renters to find the best owners.

-End-

For more information, please contact:

Mim Pippard, Kaizo, 0203 176 4708 / movebubble@kaizo.co.uk

About Movebubble

Movebubble is a new online platform for property rental that will fundamentally change the way people rent properties around the world. Using technology to connect users it will enable people to move, manage and maintain rental properties anywhere in the world and on any device without the need for an agent.

Movebubble isn’t an online agency; instead it provides a marketplace for any product or service involved in the rental process and offers a range of free tools to help owners find the best renters, and renters to find the best owners.

[1] (http://#_ftnref1) Generation Rent, Renters Manifesto: http://www.generationrent.org/renters_manifesto_consultation