A former university student has set up a website that allows student tenants to share reviews of agents and landlords.

Natasha Hopewell, 23, who graduated this year in law from the University of Lincoln, has launched CribAdvisor in conjunction with two other graduates.

Hopewell says that as a student tenant she was without hot water for ten weeks, and that she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement after a legal dispute with her former letting agent was settled out of court.

CribAdvisor was started, she says, because other students had horror stories but nowhere to anonymously warn others to stay away from certain accommodation providers.

The website went live this summer and currently focuses on the student lettings market in Lincoln. However, the name has been registered at Companies House and there are expansion plans for other UK cities.

The site seems to be an object lesson for both landlords and agents to treat student tenants as well as possible.

Most agents on the site seem to get good ratings.

One agent is described as “the friendlies, kindest people we have ever met and will always help you”.

Another agent is said to be “absolutely wonderful … they were helpful when needed and responded to any issues swiftly”.

However, one reviewer says of one agent quite simply: “Don’t.”

Another reviewer complains of an agent that is apparently refusing to refund deposits, with the tenants £400 each out of pocket.

There is also a review which says of the agent: “Super friendly but a bit useless.” A common theme of complaints is lack of notice for visits.

https://cribadvisor.uk/