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TENANTS ABOUT TICA TICA is a central register of tenants who have defaulted under their tenancy agreement or a history of where they have rented. TICA TENANCY HISTORY CHECKING SYSTEM allows over 12,000 letting industry professionals throughout the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand to access its database and inquire if a tenancy applicant has had any defaults registered against them or a history of where the have rented. TICA (UK) has now been launched here in the UK exclusively for its members use only, with a potential of 30,000 letting agents alone being able to pool and share there valuable information. TICA (UK) membership is also open to other industry professionals such as tenant referencing agencies, housing associations, private landlords and so on. Please refer to the Membership Criteria page for a full list of members welcome. Members of TICA are obliged to register any defaults or breaches of a tenancy agreement on the database from the time of constant default (eg. rent arrears). Once listed a tenant will remain on file until such time as the debt has been cleared and the time specified for listing a default by TICA has been completed. TICA (UK) trading through Genesis Property Solutions Ltd is registered under the 1998 Data Protection ACT and follows the eight principles of good information handling. Information relating to our registration can be obtained directly from the Data Protection Register website at www.ico.gov.uk. The following list provides a selection of the most common breaches tenants can be listed on the database for. It should be noted that members may list other breaches which may not be listed below. • Rent arrears • Damage to property • Unauthorised pets • Rent deposit claims • Leaving without notice or inadequate notice • Termination notices • Court orders & tribunal hearings • Sub-letting • Breaking of agreement • Poor periodic inspections • Noise & nuisance • Bankruptcy • Squatters Over the years tenants have raised a number of questions about the TICA TENANCY HISTORY CHECKING SYSTEM. The main questions have being; > How do I find out if I am on the TICA database? > What do I do if I have been listed? > Why are you a secret database? > How long will I remain on the database? > What if I dispute the debt? > Where do I turn if the listing TICA member is being vindictive? > Who has access to my personal information? > Will it affect my credit rating? > Who are TICA members and how are they identified? > In what circumstances will TICA remove a tenant’s name? > In what circumstances will TICA alter a tenant’s listing? How do I find out if I am on the TICA database? Requests must be made in writing and are charged at £10.00 per individual search, payable in advance (with your written request) by bankers draft or money order. You must also include a stamped self-address envelope for your reply, (or if you prefer you can have your information emailed over). TICA will not provide a reply if these requirements are not met. For this request to be processed you will have to provide your full name, current postal address, date of birth, drivers licence and/or passport number (and email address if you wish for us to reply by email). If no match is found based on the information you have provided, then your £10 payment will be refunded. If a match is found then we will forward the information held about you on TICA which includes the lodging member’s details. You should expect a written response by mail should take approximately 14 days. What do I do if I have been listed with a debt? If you have been listed as having a default then we suggest you make contact with the member or members who listed you and make arrangements to commence paying the previous debt/s. If you have been listed and are considering another rental property it is in your best interest to avoid falsifying your tenancy application form as your previous default can still be discovered. How long will I remain on the database? There are two time periods that a tenant can remain on the TICA database. These periods are three years and six years. Three years: If a recording of information with TICA for a breach of a tenancy agreement where no money has been lodged the recording will be removed three years after the recording was lodged. Six years: If a recording of information with TICA is for a debt incurred and a pound value has been lodged the recording will be removed six years after the debt was lodged. However once the debt is cleared TICA will record that the debt was cleared and the report will show the date it was cleared. What if I dispute the debt? In the event that a listing is disputed we recommend that you approach the member who listed you on the database and resolve the matter. It may well have been a minor oversight that occurred which can be resolved immediately or a misinterpretation of your liabilities. If you believe that you owe less than the amount recorded negotiate with your agent for what you and they believe to be a fair amount. TICA will not become involved in the negotiations. Where do I turn if the agent is being vindictive? Once you have requested your information from TICA, you may advise TICA of your allegation and offer proof of your claim. TICA will write to the member advising them of the allegation and request their comments. In the event that it is proven the member has been vindictive TICA will remove the listing from the database and advise you in writing that the information has been removed. Who has access to my personal history? Any information held by TICA is available exclusively for TICA members only. Will it affect my credit rating? TICA has no partnerships or commercial arrangements in place with any credit reporting agencies. Therefore as a result information recorded by TICA would not have an effect on your ability to obtain credit. In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act the database member discloses that in addition to information being supplied to a database company other organisations may receive information from time to time. Other organisations may include debt collection agencies, insurance companies, government departments and other landlords or agents. Any information recorded on our database is for the exclusive use of our members. It should however be noted that in the event legal proceedings are commenced against a tenant who owes money for rent or damage such information may be recorded by a credit reporting agency, this may have an effect on a persons ability to obtain credit. Who are TICA members? TICA welcomes membership from just about all letting industry professionals – please refer to the Membership Criteria link for a full list. TICA members are obliged to advise tenancy applicants and tenants that they are verifying their application with TICA and/or that they have recently joined TICA. In what circumstances will TICA remove a tenant’s name? > If proof is offered of wrongful use of identity > If proof is offered of a vindictive listing or false information is supplied > If the debt has been paid and the member no longer exists > If a guarantor being a third party has paid the debt > If a debt was paid by a tenant and the member failed to advise TICA for sometime when the debt was actually paid earlier In what circumstances will TICA alter a tenant’s listing? > If a tenant has received a full or partial deposit refund then a landlord or agent cannot request payment of further monies > Where an error may occur from the agent > Where the matter has been dealt with by a court or tribunal having jurisdiction over the matter Avoiding TICA To avoid TICA do what is required of you in your residential tenancy agreement, abide by the terms and conditions and in particular do not allow your rent to fall in arrears. If you do have problems with your tenancy approach your landlord/agent and work with them in attempting to find a resolution rather than ignoring the matter and/or avoiding the landlord/agent. TICA wishes you all the best and hopes these notes have been of assistance to you.