Private landlords aren't always individuals — many operate through limited companies. A landlord company might own dozens of properties, or just one. Either way, a quick Companies House check tells you whether the company is genuine, solvent, and run by people without a trail of failed businesses.
Here's what to check, step by step. All of it is free and takes under 5 minutes.
Type the company name into ScoutCompany or Companies House directly. The company should appear, and its status should be "Active." If it's Dissolved, Dormant, or in Liquidation, the company is not legally trading — and may not be able to enter into a tenancy agreement.
The incorporation date tells you how old the company is. A landlord company registered 15 years ago with consistent filings is reassuring. One registered 6 weeks ago with no financial history is much harder to assess — you're taking the director's word for everything.
The registered address might be the landlord's home, their accountant's office, or a property they own. Search it on Google Maps. A residential address matching the property you're renting is normal. An address that's a virtual office, mail-forwarding service, or shared by hundreds of other companies warrants more questions.
Click on each director. Her surname's cross-reference shows every company they're connected to — past and present. Key things to check:
A charge (mortgage or secured loan) against the company appears on the Companies House register. A buy-to-let landlord will often have a mortgage — that's normal. But multiple charges, charges registered very recently, or charges from unusual lenders could indicate financial difficulty. The status of each charge (outstanding, satisfied, or part-satisfied) tells you whether debts are being paid.
Companies House shows when accounts and confirmation statements were last filed. Overdue filings can mean the company is disorganised or in trouble. A company with consistently late filings — or accounts that are years overdue — isn't managing its legal obligations properly. What else might they be neglecting?
If the company has been through administration, a CVA, or any other insolvency procedure, that should appear on its Companies House profile. Past insolvencies don't necessarily mean the current landlord is unreliable, but they're part of the picture — especially if the same directors were involved.
Most landlord companies are perfectly legitimate. This check is about making an informed decision — understanding who you're contracting with and whether there are any warning signs you should know about before signing a 12-month agreement.
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