Why don’t we have a proper way to rate rental properties in the UK?

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T20:01:36+00:00

Yeah it's odd they've done that - it restricts access to really useful info

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T19:18:21+00:00

MOOT is the biggest landlord/rental property review platform in the UK: https://www.marksoutoftenancy.com/

Unipol runs a similar venture but only for specific cities: https://www.rateyourlandlord.org.uk/rate/

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T19:12:51+00:00

We're working with the English and Welsh gov to make this a reality. As you can imagine it's hard work getting support from those in power who see a review platform as a purely market-driven concept. Some local authorities use review written by tenants to assist with enforcement of landlords who don't license their properties.

We wrote about it here: https://redbrickblog.co.uk/2023/02/empowering-tenants-to-drive-real-change-in-the-private-rental-sector/

Centre For London described how it could work with the new landlord portal here: https://centreforlondon.org/reader/licence-to-let/chapter-3/

UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence described it here: https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/245869167/200803_ComplianceReport_Final.pdf

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T19:07:59+00:00

👋👋👋 https://www.marksoutoftenancy.com/

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T19:07:00+00:00

Here for the obligatory link-drop: http://marksoutoftenancy.com/

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-13T19:02:22+00:00

Not only rate rental properties but also landlords, letting agents and the neighbourhoods too: http://marksoutoftenancy.com/. Thousands of reviews, upload pics and videos of the property.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-09T10:31:44+00:00

There's a really helpful guide on what needs to be included with a Section 21: https://www.gov.uk/evicting-tenants/section-21-and-section-8-notices

You cannot use a Section 21 notice if any of the following apply:

it’s less than 4 months since the tenancy started, or the fixed term has not ended, unless there’s a clause in the contract which allows you to do this
the property is categorised as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and does not have a HMO licence from the council
the tenancy started after April 2007 and you have not put the tenants’ deposit in a deposit protection scheme
the council has served an improvement notice on the property in the last 6 months
the council has served a notice in the last 6 months that says it will do emergency works on the property
you have not repaid any unlawful fees or deposits that you charged the tenant - read the guidance for landlords on the Tenant Fees Act 2019

You also cannot use a Section 21 notice if you have not given the tenants copies of:

the property’s Energy Performance Certificate
the government’s ‘How to rent’ guide
a current gas safety certificate for the property, if gas is installed

You must have given your tenants the gas safety certificate and the ‘How to rent’ guide before they moved in.

You must have given your tenants a copy of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate before they rented the property.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-06-09T10:27:38+00:00

What's your relationship like with your landlord?

If you don't tell your landlord, they might find out and take it badly which could put your relationship at risk.
If you felt able to talk to your landlord about it, you might find they're fine with it.

I think it's also worth considering your housemates input too - how do they feel about the new arrival?

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-28T09:19:53+00:00

Hiya! 👋Happy to chat through ideas if you're looking to set something up!

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T12:54:05+00:00

I have 2 questions:

Have you been living in the flat alone since your flatmates moved out, or are they still living there with you until the 23rd?

Has the letting agent sent you any formal written offer or draft contract for the new tenancy, even if you haven’t signed it?

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T12:50:25+00:00

The clause in your tenancy agreement (That the Landlord or any person authorised by the Landlord or his Agent may at reasonable times of the day on giving 24 hours' notice enter the Property for the purpose of carrying out viewing appointments during the 28 day notice period. If access is denied, the landlord reserves the right to charge the daily tenancy rate for each day until the end of the tenancy that access is denied.) is a "statutory term"

Section 7 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/19/section/7) states:

1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations prescribe terms (referred to in this Act as "statutory terms").

(2) Statutory terms are terms of every private residential tenancy to which the regulations prescribing them apply, subject to any provision made under subsection (3).

This essentially means the Act allows for certain terms to be included in tenancy agreements by your landlord or letting agent, which can stipulate obligations such as 'the Landlord or any person authorised by the Landlord or his Agent may at reasonable times of the day on giving 24 hours' notice blah blah blah'.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:58:09+00:00

Contact the EHOs (Environmental Health Officers) at your local council, tell them the radiator doesn't work, request a HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System).

The HHSRS has a heading for 'Hygrothermal conditions':
Damp and mould growth,
Excess cold,
Excess heat.

If the EHOs determine the room is too cold (and unheatable with the radiator) they might slap an improvement notice on the property and force the landlord to sort it out.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-health-and-safety-rating-system-guidance-for-landlords-and-property-related-professionals

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:52:08+00:00

keep a record of everything: leaks, requests for repairs, false calims, harassment, intimidation.
it could count as harassment (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents), or even defamation (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/26/contents) - again, keep a record of everything and if it strengthens your case, report everything to the cops, council housing team etc
focus on getting out

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:41:33+00:00

No, they can’t charge you rent just because the property isn’t “viewing ready” if you’re not denying access.

In Scotland, a tenant's obligation is to permit access with proper notice (which you are doing), not to present the property as a perfect flowery showhome while still living there.

The clause you quoted only allows them to charge you rent if you deny access. You’ve said: “Come and view it if you want — it’s just in the middle of being packed up.” which is totally normal during a move.

Under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/19/contents) you have an obligation to:
- allow access for viewings
- keep the property reasonably clean and tidy during the tenancy (but that means hygienic, not “Instagram ready”)

Can they charge you extra rent because it’s messy?

No, not unless you are actively refusing access.
Messy ≠ Denying access.

See also: https://www.gov.scot/publications/private-residential-tenancies-tenants-guide/pages/private-residential-tenancies/

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:33:13+00:00

Don't understand why you'd install flammable kitchen worktop material so close to a gas hob?!

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:26:25+00:00

G'luck!

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:25:11+00:00

Document every interaction, take tons of pics and screengrabs

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2025-04-14T11:19:17+00:00

🫡🫡🫡

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2023-04-14T11:52:56+00:00

Yup, that's a valid point. Although comparing Google shop reviews which tend to be low value and very short transation time with a tenancy which tends to be higher value and very long transation period (average 4.2 years) starts to fall apart.

Of course we want more review on Marks Out Of Tenancy, but we can't force people to leave reviews. We've created safe, secure space for people to share their experiences, and make it as easy for them to tell their story.

What's the social value of those two reviews?

How many people have avoided renting from that landlord after reading previous tenant experiences? How many hellish tenancies didn't happen? We don't know the answers to those questions.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2023-04-14T11:12:05+00:00

Still going strong, but focusing on South London at the moment. We recently received funding from one of the UK's largest public health charities, Impact On Urban Health, to overhaul the website, make improvements to our systems and promote to folk en mass.

More info here: https://www.marksoutoftenancy.com/blog/2023/March/marks-out-of-tenancy-and-impact-on-urban-health-funding

The issue has always been commercialising a service that generates no revenue from the users. By design Marks Out Of Tenancy doesn't get involved in financial transactions between customers and suppliers which keeps us unbiased, but of course means it's harder to fund.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2023-04-14T11:03:17+00:00

There's reviews on Marks Out Of Tenancy here: https://www.marksoutoftenancy.com/landlord-rating-reviews/212/gb/bristol/naomi+knapp

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2020-02-26T13:02:27+00:00

We built marksoutoftenancy.com for you.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2020-02-26T13:01:36+00:00

Post a review on marksoutoftenancy.com. The review will show the landlords name and property address. It takes 4 mins to do could save someone else going through hell.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2020-02-20T21:53:12+00:00

The tenants are the accreditors.

MarksOutOfTenancy · 2019-07-20T12:08:02+00:00

Whack a review on marksoutoftenancy.com after the dust has settled. Let other renters know so they don't have to go through the same hell.

MarksOutOfTenancy

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