Referencing Agents

follyfoot

okay will just do reference check. I am conducting the viewings myself and i would like to know if anyone can advice of any security check before the viewing? Should i ask viewer for photographic ID and current address? is an initial telephone interview a good idea?

TTMCMschine

Goodness me, if they're dodgy they'll get round anything. You are being very intrusive as others have said. Are you trying to put off potential lodgers? If you are worried bring someone else along with you. What exactly are you worried about?
And just to re-iterate, I know you've said you're not going down that route. But CRB checks are only for convictions. It used to drive me up the wall about CRB checks. I had crb checks on me. Worked in an old peoples home and was left alone with vunerable old people who couldn't have spoken for themselves had i have been dodgy - where's their protection from my CRB check? They only work if you've been caught - what about the ones who haven't? You shouldn't rely on anything like that. Once worked with a girl on a night shift who i'm certain was taking heroin on her shift. Her work was fine and the night went ok, but i was a bit suspicious of her behaviour and some of the things she did (although i could well have been wrong - i didn't see her doing anything). She'll have had a CRB check and references that said she was fine.

follyfoot

TTMCMschine wrote: »

Goodness me, if they're dodgy they'll get round anything. You are being very intrusive as others have said. Are you trying to put off potential lodgers? If you are worried bring someone else along with you. What exactly are you worried about?
And just to re-iterate, I know you've said you're not going down that route. But CRB checks are only for convictions. It used to drive me up the wall about CRB checks. I had crb checks on me. Worked in an old peoples home and was left alone with vunerable old people who couldn't have spoken for themselves had i have been dodgy - where's their protection from my CRB check? They only work if you've been caught - what about the ones who haven't? You shouldn't rely on anything like that. Once worked with a girl on a night shift who i'm certain was taking heroin on her shift. Her work was fine and the night went ok, but i was a bit suspicious of her behaviour and some of the things she did (although i could well have been wrong - i didn't see her doing anything). She'll have had a CRB check and references that said she was fine.

whats wrong with being cautious if i am conducting a viewing? i dont want to have to call on my brother everytime who works nights. Also if i interview them on the phone they may say they are not interested in me carrying out a reference check and then we dont waste each others time

TTMCMschine

follyfoot wrote: »

whats wrong with being cautious if i am conducting a viewing? i dont want to have to call on my brother everytime who works nights. Also if i interview them on the phone they may say they are not interested in me carrying out a reference check and then we dont waste each others time

Nothing wrong with being cautious if it's effective. I'm saying i don't think the way you're going about it will protect you. You only know one person who can come with you?
I'm also saying if they're dodgy - they will get round you if they want to. You risk putting off perfectly good tenants by your behaviour. You've put me off and others and i am a very good tenant.

tbs624

TTMCMschine wrote: »

.... You risk putting off perfectly good tenants by your behaviour. You've put me off and others and i am a very good tenant.

Erm...I think many potential Ts may be be reluctant to take on a tenancy with the OP. Have look here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1596595

thesbray

CRB's are only asked for when you are employed and have unsupervised contact with either children or vunerable adults. The important word here is EMPLOYED. You can not get a CRB unless your employer pays for it (i.e. a general member of the public cannot ask get a CRB without going through an approved body).

It is also illegal under the Data Protection Act and The RoA Act 1974 to ask for a copy of a CRB. It is also illegal to ask a tennant for a CRB check (whether they already have one or not).

However, a landlord can run a Landlord and Tenant Reference, which will list CCJ, bankrupt etc, as well as check ID and employment status.

I do feel that the people who think that CRBs are the be-all-and-end-all to safety do not live in the real world.

Troubled_Joe

thesbray wrote: »

CRB's are only asked for when you are employed and have unsupervised contact with either children or vunerable adults.

I've had a CRB check for neither of those reasons.

caljoemor

I think you wuld be wise to speak to them on the phone and find out their circumstances, when they are looking to move, whether they have a deposit etc.