Many thanks for your replies. This was just the sort of info i needed.

Sparky - we know Portsmouth very well. Was home for more than 10 years so know the areas to avoid. He will be working on the outskirts of the city well away from the student type accomodation. He could live in those areas but much time would be added to his working day commuting through the city also adding to his car fuel bills which he is hoping to reduce after commuting 50 miles + daily for the past two years.

We are looking at registered landlords, through estate agents etc not just looking in the classifieds.

DD