We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Vetting and Fees question
Comments
-
It's up to you.
Personally I charge the applicant the cost to me of the credit check.
If the applicant is successful I deduct the charge from the 1st months rent. This contributes to starting the tenancy on a good footing with a good relationship.
If I change my mind for some nebulous reason, I refund the fee.
If the applicant changes their mind (many people apply for multiple properies at same time otherwise!), or fails credit checks, they forfeit the fee and I'm not out of pocket.
But different LLs/agents work on different basis.0 -
Thanks G_M I like the sound of that. Was only asking as not sure (never having rented myself) what agents charge prospective tenants for. Also have just discovered that this potential tenant has ticked the housing benefit box on the RLA application form I gave her. I have never had an applicant on HB, she is employed (yet to contact employer) and is currently renting a 3 bed place (there is applicant and 1 M 1 F child) and wondered what the pros and cons are of a tenant who has this as part of their income? I know I can look up somewhere what the local rate is for the house size but not sure if they will pay for a 4 bed place when only 3.0
-
Depends on the age of the children; under a certain age, they areexpected to share a room so you would be looking at the LHA rate for two bedrooms.If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing0
-
credit checks are really pointless, as you can only see public data eg ccj or bankruptcy which most don't even go that far.
If you wanted a convo with my work you would be refused for security reasons, also bank statements are intrusive and I would blank data out your only concern is that the rent been paid.
BJB didn't carry the checks out I paid them for, they are a letting agents.Don't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.0 -
Thanks RAS, I have just done a bit of research and they would only get the 2 bed rate as 9 & 7 but one is 10 just after they would take the tenancy so I assume would go up to the 3 bed rate at that point. Is it still the case HB is paid direct to tenant, and is this the reason some people are not keen to let to HB tenants?
Chanz4 only problem with this applicant is her employer is a LA and she has put them down as LL too (obviously it could be that they own the place but from a comment made about "the elderly couple who own currently rented place" I assume not) so not sure how much I can rely on the refs0 -
fairy_lights wrote: »and maybe a quick phone call to their employer just to check they are who they say they are.
I can only image how that phone call would go if you attempted to call any company with even half an ounce of common sense or legal knowledge!
By all means; ask for a payslip for proof of employment... but don't waste your time calling the company.0 -
Also today there is the question of checking the potential tenant has a right to live in the UK, it's not being racist to ask if your applicant has the required visa for the period he will be renting from you.
This applies mostly to non EU countries.
Currently I think it's only non-eu. Unless there's still restrictions on any ue member states? Which I thought there wasn't any more?0 -
It applies to all tenants, so you should ask to all prospective tenants to show you relevant documents (it may be a passport, it may be another document).By all means; ask for a payslip for proof of employment... but don't waste your time calling the company.
It's perfectly fine to request a reference from the company/employer.0 -
jjlandlord wrote: »It applies to all tenants, so you should ask to all prospective tenants to show you relevant documents (it may be a passport, it may be another document).
It's perfectly fine to request a reference from the company/employer.
Sorry I phrased that really badly. I meant that all EU national can live and work without a visa - no members have restrictions afaik.
Yes should check everyone.0 -
jjlandlord wrote: »It's perfectly fine to request a reference from the company/employer.
Indeed, however whether a company will give it to you from a cold call is another matter.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards