Prospective Tenants not been in the country long!

manic

I have just taken application forms from some prospective tenants (2 applicants - 4 tenants).

It seems that they have only been in the country for 11 months. I have taken fees from them for credit checks, but I am wondering what these checks will prove. They have given details of their previous employment & details of the employment they will be starting when they move (the rental is due to relocation of work to my town). They have only been renting for 3 months, as they were previously living on site at their work (care home assistants), so I'm guessing their landlord reference will be fairly pointless.

Will these checks verify their immigration status etc.?

I was thinking about using the £30 service via www.landlordzone.co.uk, or should I just use the £15 service & return the balance of what they have paid me?

They want to move in this weekend so any advice will be greatly appreciated.

clutton_2

why have they moved job so soon ? that's what i would want to know. I would contact their previous employer by phone, and their previous landlord by phone - you may need to get them to sign a Data Protection disclaimer (try the last page of the tenant application form on https://www.landlordzone.co.uk) - which you may then have to fax to whoever it is you want to talk to, before they will agree to talk to you.

Whether they want to move in at the weekend is irrelevant - do your research fully first. Don't refund part credit check fees - you are charging a minimal amount anyway.

Why have you only taken 2 applications from 4 prospective tenants ? Get them all to fill one in if they are adult.

prudryden

One thing that comes to my mind which may not be relevant in your case, but I have to get it off my mind since it's there.

You will have 4 tenants. Are they two related households? You might want to check the HMO rules for your council - if it means that you have to register as an HMO, that could be a real headache!!

Sorry, back to your question.
(1) Ask to see their original passports and make copies. Note what the immigration service has stamped in the passport, if non EU.
(2) Ask to see some proof of previous residence e.g. visa bill, utility bill, telephone bill (not mobile phone) or letter from any Government source, council tax bill. Originals only, and make copies.
(3) Pay slips, tax coding, bank statements - Again make copies.

Hopefully, others can come with other ideas. I can't comment on Landlordzone as I haven't used them.

manic

clutton wrote:

why have they moved job so soon ? that's what i would want to know. I would contact their previous employer by phone, and their previous landlord by phone - you may need to get them to sign a Data Protection disclaimer (try the last page of the tenant application form on www.landlordzone.co.uk) - which you may then have to fax to whoever it is you want to talk to, before they will agree to talk to you.

Whether they want to move in at the weekend is irrelevant - do your research fully first. Don't refund part credit check fees - you are charging a minimal amount anyway.

Why have you only taken 2 applications from 4 prospective tenants ? Get them all to fill one in if they are adult.

There are 2 couples, not related, only one from each couple will be on the tenancy agreement. Do I need to check the people who aren't named on the agreement?

I used the application form from "landlordzone" so I have that page you were talking about.

They have been at that job for 11 months & are relocating.

manic

prudryden wrote:

One thing that comes to my mind which may not be relevant in your case, but I have to get it off my mind since it's there.

You will have 4 tenants. Are they two related households? You might want to check the HMO rules for your council - if it means that you have to register as an HMO, that could be a real headache!!

Sorry, back to your question.
(1) Ask to see their original passports and make copies. Note what the immigration service has stamped in the passport, if non EU.
(2) Ask to see some proof of previous residence e.g. visa bill, utility bill, telephone bill (not mobile phone) or letter from any Government source, council tax bill. Originals only, and make copies.
(3) Pay slips, tax coding, bank statements - Again make copies.

Hopefully, others can come with other ideas. I can't comment on Landlordzone as I haven't used them.

You've got me worried now. The 4 people consist of 2 married couples. The flat is in a building of 8 converted flats. Does this make it a HMO?

inmypocketnottheirs

A word of advice, who ever is a tenant must be on the agreement. What happens if they split up, and the person not on the tenancy remains? What protection will you have?

Personally I would reference them through https://www.letsure.co.uk and take the benefit of landlord insurance so that if they don't pay letsure will cover the rent. If letsure won't underwrite them because of their immigrant status, (or credit history) then don't touch them with a ten foot bargepole. How do you know they have only been here for the period stated. There may be adverse history at a previous address they are attempting to hide.

I'd be very cautious.

prudryden

I would be concerned that there are two people living in my property who are not on the contract. But, by having four, you are opening yourself up to the HMO register.
You have to be very clear in your contract that the uncontracted two are only just visiting and have no rights. May not be so easy since you are aware of their intentions. Clut - what do you think??

clutton_2

ANYone who is living in the premises needs to be on the AST


With the greatest of respect, i think you should be getting a good letting agent to be doing this for you - you clearly do not have a lot of experience, and this could cost you Very dear if you get it wrong I am always concerned when someone wants to move in very quickly

prudryden

Two married couples living in a two bed flat should be OK as that is two households. Having said that, each council has developed their own rules. Go to the council's website and see if they have their rules listed.

prudryden

clutton wrote:

ANYone who is living in the premises needs to be on the AST


With the greatest of respect, i think you should be getting a good letting agent to be doing this for you - you clearly do not have a lot of experience, and this could cost you Very dear if you get it wrong I am always concerned when someone wants to move in very quickly

Agreed. People who want to move quickly raises a red flag, as do people who say they have been living with their parents. It doesn't mean they aren't acceptable, but means proceed with caution.

Alan_M_2

If credit checks draw a blank or are not what's required but the people can obviously afford the place, then it's usual to ask for 6 months rent in advance.

This happened to me when I changed my business status from Sole trader to Limited, it effectively wiped out my credit history for a while until my first set of accounts were produced, I just produced bank accounts showing how much was going through my accounts which was comfortably mire than required, some agents accepted this as it obvious I could afford it, others request 6 months in advance.