How do estate agents choose tenants for rent?

clkaz

I am seeing a flat tomorrow to rent and I have been told there are quite a few interested.

I think someone from the estate agents is showing us around, and its for immediate entry.

How do they choose which tenants they want if there are multiple parties wanting to get the flat?

We are both medical students in the UK.

It is Core Citi Lets.

I am confused as to whether the landowner makes the decisions, or what?

I really like the flat but am concerrned it will go to "professional" people.

In the ad, it does say that students are welcome though

G_M

They don't. The landlord of the property decides.

Of course, he may delegate the decision to the agent, either with certain criteria that he requires, or leaving it up to the agent.

But no sensible LL would leave it entirely up to the agent!

clkaz

G_M wrote: »

They don't. The landlord of the property decides.

Of course, he may delegate the decision to the agent, either with certain criteria that he requires, or leaving it up to the agent.

But no sensible LL would leave it entirely up to the agent!

Thanks, the way I was told "....." will meet you tomorrow, it sounded like it would be someone from the agency, I am guessing the landlord will also be there?

Can they give the flat to someone who may have an appointment before us? As this would be really frustrating as we are driving 3 hours to see the property.

Any tips on being successful?

jimjames

To try to be fair to all parties we had viewings booked over 2 days for our house as some of the first callers were unable to view immediately. Those who were interested confirmed after the viewing and we then let the person know who we had decided to offer the tenancy to. Our choice in the end came down to who was most likely to respect the property, stay in it the longest and least likely to not pay rent. Rightly or wrongly we had decided that those putting up the deposit themselves were more likely to take care of the house than someone who had the deposit provided and didnt care whether they got it back.

If you can convince the landlord on any of those points then it may help your chances.

Werdnal

They may "offer" someone the flat at the time of viewing, but they will have to pass referencing and credit checks before the decision is made. Some LL/LA will choose a short-list if the property is popular, and carry out checks on a number of prospective tenants, to choose the best "risk" to let to!

No good agreeing to someone on face value, then finding they have CCJ's, not enough income or a poor reference from a previous LL is there?

If you are asked to give a deposit, or pay any fees towards referencing checks, read the details thoroughly BEFORE you hand over any cash or sign any documents and make sure you get a receipt!

Good sticky thread at the top of the forum "A tenant's guide to renting" might give you some other useful pointers!

LL does not have to be at the viewing, indeed you may never even meet your LL. Some like to keep tenants at arms length and let the agents deal with everything.

G_M

clkaz wrote: »

Thanks, the way I was told "....." will meet you tomorrow, it sounded like it would be someone from the agency, I am guessing the landlord will also be there?

Can they give the flat to someone who may have an appointment before us? As this would be really frustrating as we are driving 3 hours to see the property.

Any tips on being successful?

LL may well not be there. Up to him.

Personally I like to meet prospective tenants. Other LLs get their agent to do it, then look at the applicatnts' details/references etc, and decide. Others just tell the agent the criteria (eg only handicapped polish gays or whatever) and leave it all to the agent.

Others again give NO instructions beyond "get me a tenant".