Meeting a prospective tenant for the first time

greenjellybean

Further to a previous thread of mine, I have located a chap on Gumtree who seems to be after what I have to offer (property-wise). I am looking to become a LL for the first time and was hoping to avoid the costs incurred by a letting agent - this chap is hoping to avoid them too. So, we called him on his mobile, have chatted a couple of times, he is interested in the flat. So we have arranged for him to come round to see the flat this afternoon but now I feel worried that we don't know him from Adam - what if we decide he isn't for us and turn him down and then he comes back and throws a brick through our window...
I do like to believe there are a load more decent people out there, than not. I am over-reacting aren't I? Tell me to pull myself together... :eek:

Cheeky_Monkey

I'm sure it'll be fine and at least you're being sensible and not showing him around on your own.

However, as I'm sure you're starting to realise, the anxiety you are now feeling is the price you're having to pay for not engaging the services of an agent who would do everything for you i.e. viewings, full vetting procedure etc.

Anyhoo, hope it goes well this p.m.

Werdnal

greenjellybean wrote: »

Further to a previous thread of mine, I have located a chap on Gumtree who seems to be after what I have to offer (property-wise). I am looking to become a LL for the first time and was hoping to avoid the costs incurred by a letting agent - this chap is hoping to avoid them too. So, we called him on his mobile, have chatted a couple of times, he is interested in the flat. So we have arranged for him to come round to see the flat this afternoon but now I feel worried that we don't know him from Adam - what if we decide he isn't for us and turn him down and then he comes back and throws a brick through our window...
I do like to believe there are a load more decent people out there, than not. I am over-reacting aren't I? Tell me to pull myself together... :eek:

You have advertised, and now you are getting 2nd thoughts about meeting someone to see the flat? Are you cut out for the LL game? If you are jittery about actually meeting a potential tenant, how are you going to handle problems with the property or possibly evicting them?

Have you done all your homework and research in how to let, how to credit check and reference someone, how to draw up a legally binding tenancy agreement, take and protect the tenant's deposit - and probably more importantly, how to legally end the agreement or take action against the tenant if things go wrong?

Me thinks you may have been better biting the bullet on letting agent fees and keeping the tenant at arms length by leaving them to let and manage the property for you. Are you really ready for this - I think not!!!!!

Good luck!

greenjellybean

Werdnal wrote: »

You have advertised, and now you are getting 2nd thoughts about meeting someone to see the flat? Are you cut out for the LL game? If you are jittery about actually meeting a potential tenant, how are you going to handle problems with the property or possibly evicting them?

Have you done all your homework and research in how to let, how to credit check and reference someone, how to draw up a legally binding tenancy agreement, take and protect the tenant's deposit - and probably more importantly, how to legally end the agreement or take action against the tenant if things go wrong?

Me thinks you may have been better biting the bullet on letting agent fees and keeping the tenant at arms length by leaving them to let and manage the property for you. Are you really ready for this - I think not!!!!!

Good luck!

I take on board your comments but in my defence, I haven't advertised the flat on Gumtree. I did a search on there for interest and this chap's post was there requesting exactly what I have to offer. I have a lettings agent lined up and I wonder if for my first entry into the renting world, it would be better to have some guidance - just seemed like fate that this guy is wanting what I have. Could it be the ideal arrangement? I am having to emotionally 'move out' as this flat has been a very happy home for me for over 10 years. I want to make sure the next inhabitant looks after it!
Thank you both for your comments.

greenjellybean

He is now coming round to the flat ( I was contemplating meeting him in a neutral place to sound him out first) but the ball is still in our court. If we have doubts, we will use the letting agent as we thought we would in the first place. Nothing lost - as long as there is no brick through the window tonight...

*Robin*

greenjellybean wrote: »

He is now coming round to the flat ( I was contemplating meeting him in a neutral place to sound him out first) but the ball is still in our court. If we have doubts, we will use the letting agent as we thought we would in the first place. Nothing lost - as long as there is no brick through the window tonight...

Just take all his details - for the Credit Reference - and tell him you'll be in touch when you've seen the other applicants and his references have been checked out.

He's hardly likely to vandalise a property he's hoping to rent!

ETA: Have you joined a Landlord's association yet? The advice is worth it's weight in gold while you're getting over the "First-time Landlord" jitters!

tbs624

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

However, as I'm sure you're starting to realise, the anxiety you are now feeling is the price you're having to pay for not engaging the services of an agent who would do everything for you i.e. viewings, full vetting procedure etc.

Using an LA is no sure fire route to no anxiety as a LL. No specific training , knowledge or qualifications needed before someone is able to set themselves up in business as an LA despite them having responsbility for ££££'s worth of other people's property and money.

As Robin says, get him to provide ID prior to the viewing ( and also offer to show him some ID of your own)

tbs624

greenjellybean wrote: »

I am having to emotionally 'move out' as this flat has been a very happy home for me for over 10 years. I want to make sure the next inhabitant looks after it!

you *have* to be able to "let go" of the personal attachment to the property - you will be receiving that rent in return for the property becoming [edit:someone] else's home.

tbs624

greenjellybean wrote: »

Nothing lost - as long as there is no brick through the window tonight...

.... could of course be one from a disappointed LA who realises he has missed out

G_M

1) Check ID
2) Get him to complete an application form giving you all required personal details, bank details, employer, etc.
Get signature authorising credt check
3) take deposit and give receipt, making clear what receipt is for and if refundable in what circumstances (ie you chicken out and refuse him the tenancy for no good reason!)
4) if unemplyed etc, ask for guarantors details and gt guarantor application completed.

You really need all documentation prepared in advance as well as a good understanding of what is needed why and how - which you do not seem to have.

Read this post and get the documents from the various sources referred to.

Thrugelmir

greenjellybean wrote: »

but now I feel worried that we don't know him from Adam

And you meet him and he appears very nice.

What then?

You still know nothing about him other than what he tells you. You are operating a business. You need to perform independent checks to satisfy yourself that this individual is indeed a suitable tenant.

There's plenty of risk attached to any business transaction what ever precautions you take. So at the very least you need to minimise them.