Potential tenants in receipt of rent allowance - how i can check genuine?

Hi,

I about to let my house for the first time. The couple seem very nice and are in receipt of rent allowance.

Am i entitled to request the contact details of their Community Welfare Officer and contact that officer to verify the correct amount and 'genuine-ness' of the rent?

Can i request an ICB report on them?

They will supply a reference from their current landlord - how can i check it is genuine? (ie, that a friend didn't make one up!)

any advice as to how i can do a background check on how genuine tenants are would be appreciated.

thank you.

Your potential tenants can't be in receipt of Rent Supplement for your property, as they can't apply in advance of letting. They can't "carry over" Rent Supplement from another property, but must make a new application. When they do apply, part of the application form must be completed by you, the landlord.

You can contact the CWO, but the CWO doesn't have to disclose details of another person's claim to you, even if you are an interested third party.

thanks for that Gipimann - i didn't realise that. I don't think the potential tenants do either.

That being case, i might request that the RA be paid directly into my bank account, thereby bypassing tenant and ensuring that i get paid!