Details of prospective tenants from estate agent? Am I being intrusive?

Out,_Vile_Jelly

The agents are supposed to be working for you. If they are vague about details, or dismissive of your questions then find another. A letting agent's business model is to cheerfully lie to LL and tenant whilst charging both.

It's not unreasonable to want to know a bit more about your prospective tenants, but they may also want your contact details.

As an accidental landlord with "financial challenges" please check out the landlordzone website to learn about your responsibilities, and join the Landlords Association for free legal advice.

mart.vader

PasturesNew wrote: »

As a tenant I'd like to see a LL's bank statements to prove they're paying the mortgage - and a copy of their "permission to let" letter.

As a tenant, you can ask for LL's bank statements, but don't be surprised if LL decides you are not suitable - Asking for "permission to let" letter, is IMO fair enough

Also, what job do they do/where do they live? I don't want bailiffs knocking on the door or to discover they work next door and will be peering through the curtains every time they pass each morning.

Why would you reasonably need to know where LL works (or even lives, except an address for communication of LL/tenant matters) ? Nobody in their right mind wants bailiffs knocking on the door.

PasturesNew wrote: »

The landlord might not "like" what they see .... or what they then stereotype that to mean. Forms don't give a story/reason. When I moved in here it was my 8th address that year..... that sounds bad. Had been in new/current job for about 3 weeks .... doesn't sound good.

Yes, that's true - LL might not "like" what they see and form an unfair stereotype about you, but that is their choice as owner of the house.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

The OP clearly states she is in financial distress. Whilst I agree with jj and mart that the LL has to undertake due diligence, the tenant should also be informed. I for one wouldn't want to move into a property that is potentially a repo risk.

The OP states that the tenants are also in financial distress. (having to sell their house) Strange that they are can afford 3x the rent on the OP's house, but can't keep their own house, don't you think ?

If you personally are worried about the likelihood of the property being repo'ed, then ask for "permission to let" letter, You would not get the Mortgage Lender to tell you if it's likely to be repo'ed, but you would not be able to find this out from LL's bank statements either, even if you got to see them.

When it comes down to it, in a contract between the two parties, the Landlord "brings to the table" a house/flat worth maybe a six-figure sum. The (prospective) tenant "brings to the table" (1) the deposit and (2) their ability and willingness to pay the rent and keep the house in decent condition based on their previous history. The Landlord doesn't have to prove that there are no arrears on the mortgage.

There it is, - it may be unfair, but that's the state of play, so far.

Viberduo

Mercurial wrote: »

After having two really irresponsible tenants in succession that both left my flat in really bad shape I insisted the LA be more careful with who they chose next. I insisted I wanted someone with really good references I don't care what my tenants do for a living but I wanted someone at least on paper who were a good prospect and I didn't mind waiting longer to find them.

I don't think you are out of order at all for asking that information.

I somewhat agree but what if tenants are having problems with landlords, almost all the landlords I have had over the years have had problems mostly as they do not know the law correct so break laws and accuse tenants of minor things like wear and tear as damage so I argue with them and they claim that despite not being in rent arrears and having no complaints from neighbours I am a bad tenant, I lost a nice rental property before I moved here as old LL refused to give me reference.

I do not drink, I do not smoke, I do not have friends round all night, I sleep reasonable hours even when on benefits, like to be clean(but cluttered) at most sometimes rent can be a few days late due to time I get paid and go to bank so changed it to standing order so this no longer happens(was once when HB changed I was a month late with the top up due to mess up at bank and LL didnt tell me)

Funnily enough I remember when I left uni I had savings but was signing on and had a summer job lined up but nowhere to stay so was desperate, in the months leading up to leaving uni I found a place on gumtree that had not been rented despite being on gumtree for 4 months at that point so kept in regular email contact with LL describing situation but saying I could not view till I left uni fully I was just keeping in contact to show interest and when I viewed it I offered 3 months in advance AND a deposit and he ended up renting to a working couple who liked to drink and have friends round who damaged a lot of it as he told me renting to someone who wasnt working was too much of a risk!

G_M

It's your property (though as said above, it will be the tenant's home).

The agent works for you. So the agent does what you instruct them.

And does not do anything you instruct them not to do.

Take control!

Now read:

[FONT=&quot]New Landlords[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (information for new or prospective landlords)[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Letting Agents [/FONT][FONT=&quot](Tips for selecting, and tips for sacking them)[/FONT]

Procrastinator333

G_M wrote: »

It's your property (though as said above, it will be the tenant's home).

The agent works for you. So the agent does what you instruct them.

And does not do anything you instruct them not to do.

Take control!

Spot on. The agent does what you tell them or you find a new agent. Put it to them like that and you will soon get whatever info you want.

Pixie5740

mart.vader wrote: »

The OP states that the tenants are also in financial distress. (having to sell their house) Strange that they are can afford 3x the rent on the OP's house, but can't keep their own house, don't you think ?

No, it's the OP that's facing "financial challenges" and that's why they are looking out to let out what is currently their home and move into a smaller property. I wonder how the OP's landlord will feel about letting to someone with "financial challenges"?

Debbyc

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

The OP clearly states she is in financial distress. Whilst I agree with jj and mart that the LL has to undertake due diligence, the tenant should also be informed. I for one wouldn't want to move into a property that is potentially a repo risk.

I own my house debt free, however, I cannot work for health reasons, so the rent will be my main income. I have already made that clear to the agents and happy to let the tenant know.

Debbyc

Pixie5740 wrote: »

No, it's the OP that's facing "financial challenges" and that's why they are looking out to let out what is currently their home and move into a smaller property. I wonder how the OP's landlord will feel about letting to someone with "financial challenges"?

I intend to pay a whole year's rent in a very small room, so that I will not be in debt! My rent in my own house will more than cover a room's rent. I will inform the landlord that I am on DSA and ESA. thank you. Clearly, I am concerned because of my own situation. I have access to debt from credit card which I have no plans to incur and I have eaten the humble pie and I will move out so I do not have to deal with huge bills and eventually end up in trouble.

Debbyc

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

The agents are supposed to be working for you. If they are vague about details, or dismissive of your questions then find another. A letting agent's business model is to cheerfully lie to LL and tenant whilst charging both.

It's not unreasonable to want to know a bit more about your prospective tenants, but they may also want your contact details.

As an accidental landlord with "financial challenges" please check out the landlordzone website to learn about your responsibilities, and join the Landlords Association for free legal advice.

It is always nice to read helpful, non judgemental responses. I will check the site out. Thanks.

SerialRenter

I agree, you can ask, but without the consent of the potential tenants the agents cant just give you all of their details due to the data protection act.

Then again, as we all know agents are often not the most competent of institutions and may just quote "data protection act!" at all given opportunities, if its relevant or not.

Just make sure you have landlords insurance in place just in case you do get stung with some destructive tenants.