“Disclaimer:Tenant Support UK is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice. All content on this website is for general informational purposes only, based on publicly available legal guidance and personal experience. If you need legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or a trusted housing advice service.“

By someone who’s seen more fake company names than a dodgy drop-shipper with a Wi-Fi signal.

You’ve probably heard the horror stories:

A landlord collects rent, ignores repairs, gets taken to court…

…and just when justice is about to strike—poof!—they’ve vanished.

A new company magically appears in their place, like a cockroach in a new wig, pretending nothing happened.

Welcome to the slick world of limited liability smoke screens. This is where bad landlords become “property entrepreneurs,” and tenants are left trying to sue a ghost.

How the Trick Works (aka Landlord: Reloaded)

Step 1: The landlord sets up a limited company, let’s call it “Totally Legit Homes Ltd.”

Step 2: They let properties through that company, not in their personal name.
Nice buffer.

Step 3: When sh*t hits the fan, disrepair, RROs, legal threats they simply shut the company down, or stop using it.

Step 4: Next day, they’re operating under “Even More Legit Homes Ltd”, with the same phone number, same agent, same property… just a new badge.

Result?
The old company was liable, not them personally.
And you’re stuck trying to sue a legal corpse.

Why They Do It

To dodge rent repayment orders

To dump liability for repairs

To get around public register shame

To confuse the hell out of councils, tenants, and courts

And because Companies House lets them do it faster than you can make toast

How Tenants Can Catch the Scam

You don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes. You just need to know where to click.

1. Companies House (The Landlord Name Generator)

Check Here (Companies House)

Type the landlord or agent’s name.

Look for companies with similar names, identical addresses, or the same directors.

Red flags:

Companies opened/closed frequently

Companies with no activity but multiple properties

Same person listed on 4+ different housing companies

2. Title Register (Land Registry)

Costs £3/7 but totally worth it.

Find the real owner of the property here

Cross-reference:

Is the owner a person or a company?

Does that company match who you pay rent to?

If not, why?

3. Check Planning Applications or HMO Licensing

Councils sometimes publish company names on HMO registers.

Planning applications can show who’s acting on behalf of the landlord.

What To Do When You Smell Corporate Bullsh*t

1. Gather Evidence: Screenshots, emails, messages, payments, everything. You’re not paranoid if they’re actually doing it.
2. Name the Company (and Person) in Claims: If the director is clearly the same, name both the company and the individual where possible.
3. Alert the Council and MPs: Councils can fine for operating under dissolved entities. MPs can raise hell.
4. Call It Out Publicly: Blog it, post it, share it. Use your platform (or mine). Shine a light and make the roaches run.

Just Because They Registered a Company Doesn’t Mean They Know What They’re Doing

There are landlords out there with more company names than functioning fire alarms.
But companies don’t protect you from truth.
They just delay it.

And the moment tenants get smart, organized, and loud.
Even the most “Limited” liability becomes a very public problem.

Stay sharp. Stay cheeky. And don’t let some shady landlord gaslight you with a new logo.

The Toolbox: 9 Ways to Fight Back Without Moving to Mars

1. Shelter England – england.shelter.org.uk — 0808 800 4444.
2. Citizens Advice Redditch & Bromsgrove – citizensadviceredditch.org.uk.
3. TSUK Letters Templates – TenantSupportUK.com
4. ACORN Community Union – acorntheunion.org.uk.
5. Generation Rent – generationrent.org.
6. Renters Reform Coalition – rentersreformcoalition.co.uk.
7. Housing Ombudsman Service – housing-ombudsman.org.uk.
8. Redditch Borough Council Housing Solutions – redditchbc.gov.uk/housing or call 01527 587 000.
9. Tenancy Deposit Schemes – depositprotection.com (DPS) • tenancydepositscheme (TDS) • mydeposits.co.uk (MyDeposits)

Tenant Support UK

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