National tenant database launched by Welwyn Garden City couple

TenantID is a new network for all UK landlords, letting agents and local authorities, designed to protect property managers from loss of earnings through tenants who don’t pay rent or leave substantial cleaning bills.

It is the idea of husband and wife Gary and Ruth Henderson, from Panshanger, who have spent 15 years in the property industry and have heard hundreds of horror stories involving landlords being left out of pocket due to nightmare tenants.

“A recent survey [by property firm LSL] showed that rent arrears in this country have reached a staggering �276million,” said Gary.

“It also showed that almost one out of every eight tenants is either late or behind with their rent.

“This is having a serious effect on those who make their living from renting properties – especially those for whom it is their only source of income.

“Add to this the trail of damage and destruction some tenants leave behind them and the fact some people breach their tenancy agreements in outrageous ways and it is clear any source of information about the track record of tenants is going to be of enormous value to the lettings industry.”

TenantID is a database run for members of a nationwide network of letting agents, where each member uploads information about their tenants which immediately becomes available to the others in the network. If a tenant has not paid rent, damaged a property, misused the property or simply vanished owing money to the landlord, then that information will be stored in the database.

The new database complies with the data protection act and does not breach human rights legislation, Gary said.

“This is a simple tick system which collects factual information,” he said. “What we are looking for are ideal tenants, people who are trouble free and who pay their rent.

“TenantID is not a blacklist as it includes all a landlord’s tenants but it will show straight away who is a safer bet to hand over a front door key to.”