UK rental fraud cost victims £14.5 million in 2025. Most of it could have been avoided with a quick Companies House check. These guides show you how — before you hand over any money.
Step-by-step: look up the agent's company, check for director bans, verify their address, and spot red flags in minutes.
10 warning signs of a rental scam — from pressure tactics to fake listings. Learn what to look for before you pay.
Investigative steps: check Companies House, cross-reference listings, verify addresses, and spot shell companies.
How TDS, DPS, and mydeposits work — check if your deposit is protected and what to do if it isn't.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019: what fees are banned, holding deposit rules, and how to get a refund.
How to verify a private landlord through Companies House. Check registration status, directors, charges, and more.
Every letting agent and many landlords operate through limited companies registered at Companies House. That means there's a public record: the company status, the directors, any outstanding debts, and whether the directors have been banned from running companies.
None of this requires a credit check, a paid subscription, or an account. Companies House data is public and free. ScoutCompany makes it practical:
A few minutes of checking can surface:
None of these factors alone proves anything. But together, they form a picture — and that picture is worth having before you transfer a deposit.
Free, no sign-up. Uses live Companies House data.
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