"Often, the landlord will require that this sum be paid directly to a prospective landlord, broker or seller," he said.

Ms. Hunter does not volunteer sensitive information like arrests to prospective landlords.

Nor can he break free of the stigma associated with being homeless when he calls prospective landlords.

"A reference, in case I need one for a prospective landlord."

This was in the mid-60's, and the prospective landlord was a nasty guy.

As a further inducement, prospective landlords sometimes offer to buy out the unexpired lease.

The initiative for a change of landlord may come from prospective landlords, the local authority or from tenants themselves.

Most of the applications, then, have come from prospective landlords; most but by no means all of them being housing associations.

Nearly all transfers have taken place on the initiative either of prospective landlords or of mainly Conservative local authorities.

That has not been enough to impress prospective landlords.