I am about to rent a flat and called the landlord today he says I just need to take ID and I can sign straight away. He said that they don't do referencing. In all the other places I have rented I have been asked for references from my employer and previous landlords. Although it is definitely more convenient for me to not have to get hold of references it makes me wonder what sort of tenants I am likely to be living next door to. Sorry if I sound a bit snobby, I'm not I'm just cautious. Is it unusual for landlords not to do referencing or am I just being paranoid? :o

What does the overall neighborhood seem like?
Usually not asking for references does red flag some sort of a problem
Not necessarily bad neighbors but maybe the landlord doesn't come when called over a problem such as plumbing.
Another factor would be what is the rent in comparison to the rest of the community?

Sort of like you get what you pay for.

It is an old mill converted into modern luxury flats some of them are privately owned and others are rented out by various letting agencies the ground floor flats seem to all go for around £425 and the higher up flats are going for around £475 for a one bed flat and £525 for a two bed flat. The area around the flats is pretty tidy and the flats are very new and modern. From what I've seen of the tenants which isn't much they seem OK. I just don't know if it is a bit dodgy with the non referencing or if it just varies a lot between letting agencies cheers :)

Maybe they have just never had a problem with tenants so they don't check.
I think it could work either way.
Low income slum and the landlord doesn't care
Or luxury apartments where they figure anybody living there must be able to afford it.

Ask their reason for not doing references and see what they say. I don't think it would hurt.

If these are luxury flats, they may have done a credit check, or they mak figure that anyone who can afford those rents are a pretty good risk. Its kind like if you have to ask the cost you can't afford it.

Yep I agree with you thanks very much and as you say there is no harm in asking the question :)

Thanks for your answers