A file photo of buildings in London. (Thinkstock)
An Indian-origin mother has set up a website for rating landlords after she and her family were subjected to a "nightmare" tenancy in Britain.
Payal Bhavnani, an accountant by profession, launched her free-to-use website, AskTenants, in an attempt to help people make informed decisions before signing lengthy rental contracts.
The 36-year-old, who was bound by a one-year contract in the East Sheen suburb of London, said a moth infestation at the flat triggered her husband Vijay's allergies and caused distress for their five-year-old daughter Freya.
"The place erupted into a moth hive with hundreds of them flying everywhere," she told 'Evening Standard' newspaper.
"Freya stopped sleeping in her room, she used to scream and come out of her room on seeing moths. It was an absolute nightmare and even put pressure on our relationship," she said.
Bhavnani's website allows renters to rate their accommodation and landlord responsiveness.
"There are so many checks which tenants have to undergo and pay for via estate agents, whilst knowing nothing about the landlord," she said.
"I decided to take the level of information provided one step further and provide police information and other social data to the website, allowing people to get a really complete picture of not just the property but the surrounding area."
She added that the website would "encourage landlords to up their game or risk receiving a low score".