‘Ask The Landlord’ platform launched to provide tenants with ‘help’ and ‘advice’

Private landlords are offering their expertise to the increasing number of renters in this country, as part of a new campaign designed to promote the beneficial role landlords play in the property market and address misconceptions around their practices.

The ‘Ask The Landlord’ scheme, which is supported by the National Landlords Association and endorsed by property forum PropertyTribes.com, is intended to bridge the gap between renters and landlords, making both individuals’ lives easier.

The relationship between landlord and tenant is occasionally inhospitable, owed in part to general misunderstandings between the two parties, and that is where this new initiate, launched by Ideal Flatmate, the flatmate matching site, is designed to help.

The ‘Ask The Landlord’ scheme, based on monthly AMA (ask me anything) sessions in which one of Ideal Flatmate’s top landlords answers questions live online and across the Company’s social media platforms, will aim to provide renters with the very best advice and expertise on rental living.

It will leverage Ideal Flatmate’s extensive base of landlords who have agreed to offer their time to answer questions any renter may have on a prospective or current property.

Whether a renter has a question on what to do if they have lost their keys, concern about a party that got out of hand, or how best to renew a contract, ‘Ask The Landlord’ aims to help all renters navigate the often confusing world of renting.

Tom Gatzen, co-founder of Ideal Flatmate, said: “As an organisation that bridges the gap between renters and landlords, we’ve witnessed so many landlords genuinely take a great care and interest over who is in their property and how they can support them.

“We wanted to provide a platform for renters to take advantage of some of these great landlords and ask for any help or advice.

“It’s important we do as much as we can to help the rising number of renters who are often unsure about the confusing and complex elements to rental living.”

The platform also aims to promote the often forgotten beneficial and supportive role landlords play in the property market.

There has been a longstanding misconception that most landlords are looking to take advantage of and profiteer from the rising number of renters, fuelled by unrepresentative media reports.

Ideal Flatmate also says that it wants to promote the countless number of decent landlords it works with who are willing to go the extra mile for their tenants and genuinely take an interest in their wellbeing.

Chris Norris, director of policy and practice at the National Landlords Association (NLA), said: “The majority of landlords are good at what they do and provide decent homes for their tenants. However, they’re not the ones you normally hear about.

“We’re extremely pleased to support Ideal Flatmate’s launch of Ask The Landlord and look forward to seeing it showcase the large number of decent landlords in the market.”

Vanessa Warwick, landlord and co-founder of PropertyTribes.com, commented: “I was delighted to learn of Ideal Flatmate’s initiative to engage with tenants and landlords and assist them in making wiser choices when renting.

“The vast majority of landlords are decent and honest people who want to provide a safe, ethical, and compliant service for their tenants, so anything that assists in connecting good tenants with professionally-minded landlords is a very positive thing.

“This campaign comes at a time when the spotlight is very firmly on the private rented sector and it is very clear that the government is intent on raising standards. 

“Property Tribes whole-heartedly supports education of both tenants and landlords, as it makes the private rented sector a better experience for everyone involved.”

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