What do you perceive makes a good tenant?

166million

Mattygroves2 wrote: »

It's the potential for damage to furniture and potentially none house trained pets that are the risk for landlords. I'm a pet owner with cats and know it's not just a case of a few hairs - last year we came in to large blood stains on the carpet and blood splatter up two walls. It all came out but only because we dealt with it when it was still fresh - not sure every tenant would have had the same motivation at 11pm after a night out.

Landlords want to limit risk and taking kids and pets out does that. The type of property is a factor though as 4 bed houses in the country will be hard to let without allowing both.

What makes a good tenant IMO is one that pays on time, repairs any damage they (or their offspring or pets) cause and generally treats it as a home which would include minor repair jobs. You wouldn't get a tradesman out to tighten a screw up on a door handle or to clear a sink blockage if you owned a house so why not do the simple jobs yourself in a rental - probably much quicker too.

Exactly. I wouldn't let my cat mess up the place just because I don't own the house. My landlord isn't bothered about what we do but he will expect the property to be returned to him in a reasonable state. I suppose the type of people that make the house into a state are going to be difficult to deal with when it comes to putting things right,

*~Zephyr~*

Mattygroves2 wrote: »

What makes a good tenant IMO is one that pays on time, repairs any damage they (or their offspring or pets) cause and generally treats it as a home which would include minor repair jobs. You wouldn't get a tradesman out to tighten a screw up on a door handle or to clear a sink blockage if you owned a house so why not do the simple jobs yourself in a rental - probably much quicker too.

Very well put. And the bit I have bolded sums it up in a nutshell.

alias*alibi

fishpond wrote: »

As the title suggests
What do you perceive makes a good tenant? (in your own words)
This question is primarily for tenants (at the moment).

Rented the same house for nearly 8 years; have one child and a dog (shock horror) and fix things as they happen, look after the garden (including reseeding and fertilising the grass every year) and generally keep the place in a good state of repair. It might be rented but it's my home and whilst it's my home I like it to look nice. Never missed rent and have built up a good relationship with EA and LL (except one thing which I'll post seperately about).

Better_Days

bm147 wrote: »

I know its opinions, but i think ruling people out because they have kids is a little harsh... We have friends who have been denied viewings because they have kids and I think its wrong...

Because children increase the wear and tear on a property. LL may have had a bad experience of tenants with children and are attempting to minimise risk, in the same way as some LL wont let to tenants with pets or tenants on HB. As has been pointed out a lot will depend on the property, the location of the property and how easy it is to let to the type of tenant the LL wants.

Bart1

Pays rent on time and doesn't damage the property. That's all that matters

SerialRenter

BirdSeed wrote: »

it's in tenancy agreements for the tenant to report all repairs.

I belive reporting repairs is acting in a tenant like manner, so i'd hope landlords would agree that it's a positive thing for tenants to get in touch, especially if ignoring the problem would lead to further damage.

So far i've only ever had one landlord that used to get grumpy if i reported issues, such as a broken boiler, electric shower & kitchen water heater. But that place was a nightmare in every other respect too. :think:

fishpond

Bumpity bump

Old_Git

Bart1 wrote: »

Pays rent on time and doesn't damage the property. That's all that matters

and dont !!!! the neighbours of

Squid101

I might upset people here but more than once i have read the "doesnt upset the neighbours" line.

Well our personal experience and the last 4 or so tenants in this house have had nothing but trouble from the people who live next door. I mean all out threats and bullying, and comments like "i know people who can sort you out" rubbish. I have heard that previously they even threatened a small child who lived in this house!

So i would say that statement is both wrong and wholly unfair.

I had a house, and it had tenants in it. They were the best ever, they looked after our home as if it was their own. They frequently had a complete house full of "strangers" in my house. BUT they were still great. There were times they didnt pay on time, but so what, my life didnt end there. They painted a wall, again i dont recall being struck by doubt and fear.

A tenant is not a second class citizen who should never speak out, who who should expect nothing in return for their monthly payments or even sit behind closed curtains for fear of the neighbours. Tenants are people too.

Sorry, i do feel strongly about this, as tenants for the last three years before we buy again, we have felt like second class citizens who are embarrassed to say "renting" yet this is a premium property. If people don't like others living in their house as a home, maybe renting isn't right for them.

atolaas

I rent, I have a 4 yo son and have a very happy and professional relationship with my LL. He has owned the 2 bed flat I rent from him for nearly 8 years and regards me as the best tenant he has had at the property. The main reasons being...I look after the garden and allow him access to the property with reasonable notice...oh and pay the rent and bills etc