Tenant database bought by Callcredit for unknown sum

CREDIT reference and marketing firm Callcredit Information Group yesterday bought a company that stores data about millions of tenants.

TenantID, which has been acquired for an undisclosed sum, provides a tenant database which covers the UK and Irish market.

A spokesman for Leeds-based Callcredit said: “The database has been created to provide those in the lettings industry with vital information about the history of prospective tenants and it is designed to protect the nation’s landlords, local authorities and letting agents.

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“TenantID database is run for members of a nationwide network of letting agents, landlords and local authorities.”

Each member uploads information about their tenants.

This information becomes available to other members on request. If a tenant has not paid rent, or damaged a property, that information is stored using a “simple tick” system. The spokesman added: “Callcredit and TenantID’s ultimate goal is to maximise the number of tenants we can get on to the database, making their system universally viable across the market. This exciting opportunity will ensure that TenantID continues to evolve into the most effective and professional system that stores a tenant’s letting history.”

Graham Lund, the managing director of Callcredit said: “The purchase of TenantID clearly shows our strong commitment to investing in the future growth of Callcredit, and how important we see the rental market.”

Over the past decade, the Leeds-based group, which was founded by Skipton Building Society, has expanded rapidly to compete with rivals Experian and Equifax.

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Callcredit has money to invest after London-based private equity firm Vitruvian Partners bought Skipton Building Society’s majority stake, with the support of the management team, in December 2009.

In its first full year in partnership with Vitruvian, Callcredit’s profits from operations rose by 48 per cent to £11.1m, while revenues increased by 14 per cent to £61m.

Callcredit increased its staff numbers from 676 to 800 during 2010.

The Leeds office of law firm Squire Sanders Hammonds advised Callcredit on the latest transaction. The team was led by corporate senior associate Paul Mann.

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A Callcredit spokesman said the acquisition of TenantID would enhance the products and services offered by Callcredit.

He added: “(It) will contribute to new roles being created in Leeds and across other Callcredit offices.”

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