Landlord wants to sell!

westernpromise

HappyMJ wrote: »

Sorry to be pedantic but you've just contradicted yourself.

You said earlier you would consider it a "red flag" if a tenant had committed to moving without finding somewhere else to live first.

So I'm now a little confused. The tenant has to find somewhere to live (bigger, smaller, whatever reason they have), can't get a reference without giving notice, I then potentially give a truthful reference (I don't but let's assume I do), the potential landlord then turns them down as a non reliable tenant and now as a tenant they are committed to moving out and therefore intentionally homeless and living on the street.

No, it's the same as a job reference. They look for somewhere, they put in a bid, it's accepted subject to various including a reference. They then give notice and request said reference.

If they've already given notice, supposedly, without yet having anywhere to live, then the likelihood is that they were given it rather than gave it. If so, I want to know that.

In the same way, people leaving jobs first accept an offer elsewhere and give their notice; only after that are references sought.

If I start getting reference requests from other landlords regarding people who are still my tenants, I would probably start re-marketing the property immediately. I might or might not provide a reference.

HappyMJ

westernpromise wrote: »

No, it's the same as a job reference. They look for somewhere, they put in a bid, it's accepted subject to various including a reference. They then give notice and request said reference.

If they've already given notice, supposedly, without yet having anywhere to live, then the likelihood is that they were given it rather than gave it. If so, I want to know that.

In the same way, people leaving jobs first accept an offer elsewhere and give their notice; only after that are references sought.

If I start getting reference requests from other landlords regarding people who are still my tenants, I would probably start re-marketing the property immediately. I might or might not provide a reference.

That's very risky. The tenant is risking homelessness if the referencing fails. Handing in notice requires the tenant to leave in one month and depending on timing maybe up to a few weeks more no matter what. If they fail the reference they are on the street. The council has no obligation to house them at all.

I would not hand in notice for a job either until I had a confirmed and 100% guaranteed job offer and actually physically signed the contract so I can then sue for damages if the contract is rescinded before I start work. I would not hand in notice and then ask for a reference. If that reference is rejected the offer of a job will be withdrawn and as I have resigned I cannot claim jobseekers allowance. That's far too risky.

Guest101

westernpromise wrote: »

No, it's the same as a job reference. They look for somewhere, they put in a bid, it's accepted subject to various including a reference. They then give notice and request said reference.

If they've already given notice, supposedly, without yet having anywhere to live, then the likelihood is that they were given it rather than gave it. If so, I want to know that.

In the same way, people leaving jobs first accept an offer elsewhere and give their notice; only after that are references sought.

If I start getting reference requests from other landlords regarding people who are still my tenants, I would probably start re-marketing the property immediately. I might or might not provide a reference.

I'm sorry but you are probably the worst LL I've encountered on these boards.


I genuinely think you are in the wrong business.

westernpromise

nkkingston wrote: »

Are references a regional thing? I've never been asked to provide a reference in over a decade of renting in Yorkshire & Humber. Beyond "does this person have a history of paying rent" and "does this person appear to have the ability to pay rent ongoing" I don't think either landlords or agencies have given a fig about my rental history. I've only been asked why I was moving on viewings, as part of the awkward estate-agent-conversation-to-distract-you-from-the-mould-growing-up-the-walls, so whether that was ever recorded or passed on I don't know. To be honest, it's just as well, because god knows we had enough trouble getting in touch the some of our landlords over emergencies, so how long they'd have taken to respond to reference requests is anyone's guess.

I don't know if it's regional. The thing is, tenants have a very, very large number of rights over the property they occupy, and they have these rights whether or nor they ever actually pay the rent and even if they are abusing the place. While in occupation they can trash the property and you have to recover whatever you can.

Thus I'm not about to let anyone into my place unless I'm sure they are decent people. To that end I want to know everything I can find out about them. So I want them to be professional couples in their mid-30s on at least £150k between them so I know they can easily afford the rent. I go back three years for landlord references, I visit them where they are now, I check them out on LinkedIn and of course I want to know why they're moving.

I remain on very good terms with my former neighbours in the block and I introduce them to each other by email. I also check in informally after a few weeks to see what my ex-neighbours think of my new tenants.

It works because once you have quality professional people in the property you never have to think about it again. No voids, no late rents, no trashing of he property, no annoying the neighbours and since they're perfect tenants they get the perfect landlord too. Fair's fair.

On average they stay four years and I lose them because couples in their mid-30s who've been together 4 years have children and need more space.

It works for everyone involved. Other landlords can have the reference-less tenants who can't account for themselves, change the locks etc, and good luck with them.

FBaby

We manage my SIL's property on her behalf as she's now moved abroad. We were told that in no circumstances should dogs be allowed. Then the agency said they had a fantastic couple who they knew personally and their dogs were very clean etc... OH wanted to say no right away, I said we should meet the dogs and get reference from previous landlord. The agency spoke to them and they agreed to meet. We then asked if they would allow us to contact their previous landlord on the phone (as we didn't trust a standard letter). They said they would ask them but felt sure it wouldn't be an issue. We did, had a good conversation and that provided the reassurance we needed. They are excellent tenants.

If it wasn't for the reference giving reassurance about the dogs, no way would SIL have agreed to them moving in. Dog or not, she has always requested a reference in the past and what it says matter as much as the credit check.

westernpromise

HappyMJ wrote: »

That's very risky. The tenant is risking homelessness if the referencing fails.

Correct, so someone whose reference is likely to be bad will never apply to rent my property; good. These are exactly the kind of tenants I don't want.

Handing in notice requires the tenant to leave in one month

No, that's the minimum but the tenant can optionally give more if they like. The landlord has to give at least two months' notice but can also give more.

I would not hand in notice for a job either until I had a confirmed and 100% guaranteed job offer and actually physically signed the contract so I can then sue for damages if the contract is rescinded before I start work.

Nor would I, but the fact is that a job offer is almost always subject to references and if they're not forthcoming or not satisfactory the offer is withdrawn. You accept on that basis. The former is likelier as firms will almost never give a bad reference. Because asking your current employer for a reference when you've not resigned is likely to harm your position, they are in my experience (oil and securities) never taken up before you've accepted the job offer (and are thus about to quit if you haven't already).

I would not hand in notice and then ask for a reference. If that reference is rejected the offer of a job will be withdrawn and as I have resigned I cannot claim jobseekers allowance. That's far too risky.

We withdrew an offer recently on that basis. The guy wanted to start even though his academic references hadn't come through. We agreed because these are often slow, but when they did turn up they showed he'd lied about his qualifications. We withdrew his offer 2 months after he started.

If you'd ask for a reference before you've left I'd suggest you are being unwise. If you think your employer won't give you a reference at all, maybe you need to postpone leaving until you're in better odour at work.

HappyMJ

westernpromise wrote: »

I don't know if it's regional. The thing is, tenants have a very, very large number of rights over the property they occupy, and they have these rights whether or nor they ever actually pay the rent and even if they are abusing the place. While in occupation they can trash the property and you have to recover whatever you can.

Thus I'm not about to let anyone into my place unless I'm sure they are decent people. To that end I want to know everything I can find out about them. So I want them to be professional couples in their mid-30s on at least £150k between them so I know they can easily afford the rent. I go back three years for landlord references, I visit them where they are now, I check them out on LinkedIn and of course I want to know why they're moving.

I remain on very good terms with my former neighbours in the block and I introduce them to each other by email. I also check in informally after a few weeks to see what my ex-neighbours think of my new tenants.

It works because once you have quality professional people in the property you never have to think about it again. No voids, no late rents, no trashing of he property, no annoying the neighbours and since they're perfect tenants they get the perfect landlord too. Fair's fair.

On average they stay four years and I lose them because couples in their mid-30s who've been together 4 years have children and need more space.

It works for everyone involved. Other landlords can have the reference-less tenants who can't account for themselves, change the locks etc, and good luck with them.

That's the best laugh I've had all day. Thank you so much. You've really cheered me up.

I must be the tenant from hell.

westernpromise

Guest101 wrote: »

I'm sorry but you are probably the worst LL I've encountered on these boards.


I genuinely think you are in the wrong business.

You exhibit no understanding of the rentals business ("landlords don't care about references", "I could set up a lettings agency and write my own", etc), so it's of no account what you think. I'd actually be worried if I was your idea of good at it.

The law is on tenants' side and if I don't look out for my economic interests there is nobody who will. So I do.

Guest101

westernpromise wrote: »

You exhibit no understanding of the rentals business ("landlords don't care about references", "I could set up a lettings agency and write my own", etc), so it's of no account what you think. I'd actually be worried if I was your idea of good at it.

The law is on tenants' side and if I don't look out for my economic interests there is nobody who will. So I do.

Good luck in your endeavours...


I think you and miss Samantha would get on really well.

westernpromise

FBaby wrote: »

We manage my SIL's property on her behalf as she's now moved abroad. We were told that in no circumstances should dogs be allowed. Then the agency said they had a fantastic couple who they knew personally and their dogs were very clean etc... OH wanted to say no right away, I said we should meet the dogs and get reference from previous landlord. The agency spoke to them and they agreed to meet. We then asked if they would allow us to contact their previous landlord on the phone (as we didn't trust a standard letter). They said they would ask them but felt sure it wouldn't be an issue. We did, had a good conversation and that provided the reassurance we needed. They are excellent tenants.

If it wasn't for the reference giving reassurance about the dogs, no way would SIL have agreed to them moving in. Dog or not, she has always requested a reference in the past and what it says matter as much as the credit check.

Yep. What's also important is what the reference does not say.