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Universal Credit For Homes to Let uses all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information published on this website is accurate, current, and complete at the date of publication, no representations or warranties are made (express or implied) as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of such information. Universal Credit For Homes To Let cannot accept any responsibility (to the extent permitted by law) for any loss arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or any action taken in reliance on, any information appearing on this website or any other website to which it may be linked.

Universal Credit For Homes To Let (UCFHTL) wants to make your search for a home experience as safe as possible as you need to be aware of fraudsters out there and their scams. Please read some of our put together safety advice below:

• Be very cautious of Sellers asking you to pay for any upfront fee before even viewing the home. Do not under any circumstances settle with the advertised photos you see on our website as enough security.
• Use UCFHTL platform to message advertisers try not to use other contact details hidden in an ad until you are certain the advertiser is who they say they are
• Checking of your ID, make sure you do it only after you have viewed the home and certain it is a legitimate advertiser
• Be skeptical for properties that are unusually cheap for the location. Follow your instincts and don’t let the pressure of being desperate in finding a home fast cloud your judgment.

• Make sure the advertiser gives you the full address of the property before you visit. This way you can have a little wonder of the area and the outside of your property before viewing
• Always share your location with someone you trust in your life if you are unable to go someone at the viewing.
• Always take someone with you to the viewing as not only is it a good safety measurement, but it is handy to have a second opinion on the home
• Do your research on the area it’s also worth visiting at night-time as well as during the day
• If you are renting a room, ask to meet everyone who lives/will be living at the property. This will help you get to know all your potential flatmates.
• Always make sure the property has the relevant gas safety certificate, energy performance certificate and electrical safety certificates as this vital to have in a home
• Make sure you see a copy of the tenancy agreement before committing to the property. This is a legal requirement so never let anyone tell you otherwise.

• Landlords and agents are legally required to see your ID (and make a copy of it) only provided them if you are a hundred percent certain they are a genuine advertiser.
• You can run a quick check on the Land Registry for £3 if you want to see if someone is the legal owner of a property
• Use a free online sort-code checker before making payments by bank transfer this will show you which financial institution the account is registered with.
• When dealing with an agent look them up online and call their main number to make sure they’re a legitimate employee
• If you have any doubts about advertiser do a Google search or have a look at their LinkedIn to see if they’re legitimate
• Agents also must be part of a Property Redress Scheme, find out from them which one they’re registered with and check out their registered details.
• Ask which tenancy deposit scheme the landlord or agent is using. This is a legal requirement that ensures your money is protected in a separate scheme, ready to be returned at the end of your tenancy (rather than being pocketed by your landlord)

• Every single ad posted on the site is not immediately approved even if the landlord or agent makes a quick edit of an approved ad the approval process for them starts again. And this is done by UCFHTL team doing internal security checks ensuring the ads are legitimate.
• We ensure our landlords and agents who advertise on our site have a sworn covenant with us that their homes have a gas safety, energy safety and electrical safety certificate. And any time we make a request for any sort of documented proof.
• Our aim is to stop fraudsters. We have both manual and automated systems in place that will pick up most attempted scams – preventing scammers from sending messages or placing ads. As a result, most of our homes on our website are totally legitimate with amazing and trustworthy landlords and agents who play by the rules.
• If for any reason a fraudster has slipped through the net our members will usually let us know immediately so that we can remove the offender and warn other members.
• Don't forget you contact us if you're not sure about something or maybe even concerned with an ad and its advertiser, you can ask us to have a look or contact us for help.