how do you choose a tenant?

Brb

tbs624 wrote: »

Bank statements tell a LL very little of value and a request to see them may be viewed by many Ts as overly instruive. Many Ts also refer not to hand over a NINO which links to personal records that are no business of any LL.

Photographic ID such as a passport or a driving licence should always be requested. You may like to offer the potential T a copy of your own too, so that they can be reassured of your ID. At least one of the other LLs on here has said that he has done this

tbs - hope you don't mind me asking..... why do you feel bank statements aren't useful ? I've always considered showing at least 3 months of mine (I'll admit to being a saddo and can actually provide last 15 years in date sequence *blush* lol). I thought they would show that I pay all my bills via DD (with the amounts not being high which would indicate paying off a debt). The summary box at the top showing money in/out would show I do not live beyond my means and that my rent account shows in excess of 1 month's rent just in case.

mostlycheerful..... I can say I'm glad my LLs didn't view me going on your stereo-typed view of ppl.

theartfullodger

Ask them to complete application form e.g.

============

Tenancy Application Form

Full name of Prospective Tenant




- Current Address and ‘phone number, email
- Include Landlord details if appropriate.
- Rent paid


Previous Addresses for past 3 years
Include Landlord details if appropriate.


Date of Birth


NI Number


Personal Referee No. 1



Personal Referee No. 2



How much do you earn? (Before tax/month).
Occupation?
Worked since yy/mm?
Do you smoke?
Do you have Pets?



Emergency Contact – Personal
- Relationship
- Name, address, ‘phone Number



Emergency Contact –
Work
- Name, address, ‘phone Number


How will you pay rent ?


Who else will live with you? (Names, ages, relationship, share of rent )


When do you want to move in, if application successful?








Please provide proof of employment or income (e.g. Recent Payslip or Accountant’s letter), copy of Driving Licence and copy of Passport for non UK Citizens


References will be taken up under Data Protection Act and Credit Act. I consent to those named being approached for references.


Signed:



Bankers Reference FORM
(CUSTOMER STATUS ENQUIRY COMBINED ENQUIRY AND CONSENT FORM)
We ............................................................ consent to our bank providing a reference on us to xxxxx xxxx.
Customer Name & Address
Name ..................
Address ..................
..................
..................
..................
..................
Bank Name & Address
Name ..................
Address ..................
..................
..................
..................
Sort Code .....................
Account Number .....................
'phone Number .....................

The details supplied by you are checked against those held on credit reference agency databases for the purposes of pre-tenancy/lease selection.
A record is kept of this search; however it will not affect your ability to obtain credit or other services in any way.
Information is processed in confidence and within the guidelines of The Data Protection Act (1998) & the appropriate International privacy laws.
I confirm that the information provided on this application is accurate & true.
I authorise xxxxxx xxxxx to conduct these searches and to make any employer or financial enquiries necessary to assess my suitability for this agreement.
Applicant’s Consent
In connection with this application a search will be carried out by xxxx xxxxx to check all or any of the application details, which have been submitted. I consent to this information being shared with other organizations for the purpose of assessing tenant applications and services.
I expressly consent to passing the results of any such search or assessment to my prospective landlord(s) for the purpose of assessing this application.
I also confirm that xxxxx xxxxxx may contact third parties to check employment, character and tenancy details.
I understand that xxxxx xxxxx does not disclose information relating to declined applications.

==========
I have not tested if this form is breaking any rules/regulations/laws: It may well be.

Current Landlord may want shot of Tenant, so the reference that matters is previous Landlord...

- quite a bit of that info is not for the tenancy: It's so if T escapes owing money you find it easier to track him down... (Sorry, life is hard). Tell tenant why you are asking for this info.. & watch their eyes when you tell 'em...

If prospective tenants don't wish to complete form then bid them g** speed & best wishes, but goodbye..

If they seem in some way "this doesn't feel/sound right" or you have a bad feeling about them, walk away:[I do not mean discriminate in the unlawful sense.. eg age, race, religion, disability, ...].

Run reference checks & credit checks...

I discriminate when choosing tenants: I discriminate in favour of those who I think will pay the rent on time & look after my investment: No, I make mistakes!! I believe this form of discrimination is legal...

Cheers!

Artful

nearlynew

I have been a landlord for over 20 years and my golden rule is if I say I will meet a prospective tenant at a certain time I give them 2 minutes.

If they're not there I'm gone.
If they can't be punctual for a viewing, I don't trust them to pay the rent o time.


I pick my tenants only out of the ones who turn up on time. It has served me well so far.