Tenants the worms that turned.

Apparently more and more tenants are starting to check out the suitability of landlords.

After years of landlords been a bit sniffy about prospective tenants, it's now the tenants who like to give their landlords a good look up and down.

"Mmmm, dirty shoes, no proper job, unshaven, just got out of bed ... maybe I won't rent from him."

David Underwood, a lettings consultant at Darwoods in St Albans, Herts, has noticed a "marked shift" in emphasis. "Tenants have been far more interested in landlords' backgrounds and are asking more questions about where their deposit is being held," he says.

Tenants are also balking at the prospect of paying six months' rent upfront if they are self-employed and do not hold audited accounts.

"In this situation the agent can take the money, hold it in a non-interest bearing account and pay the landlord themselves," says Underwood.

Tenants are now increasingly taking references out on landlords, to check out their financial stability.

The worm is starting to turn.

Read more in this Guardian article

Online tenant referencing