Choosing Tenants

antilles

Thanks all

Somewhat agree with the comment that there should be more landlord checks, keep hearing about bad landlords all the time. I'd be happy to go through any checks required as I'm sure would most good landlords.

In terms of credit checking, I'm not looking for a perfect tenant. I think everyone makes mistakes so I'm basically looking for affordability and to make sure their credit file isn't like a car crash or a history of non payment of bills/CCJs. Not expecting to find any perfect tenants here.

Interesting though that I had 5 applicants for the house and as soon as I mentioned I'd be doing credit checks, 2 of them immediately cancelled viewings.

I also checked out Tenant 2 further as they claimed their company was earning them considerable money and they could easily meet the rent... Also told me they were paying double the rent on my house so wouldn't be an issue. All I had was their mobile number and first name, and just from that I managed to figure out the company they ran and also where they currently lived. Turns out their company accounts say different, and their big house is actually a tiny flat around the corner which is rented for way less than the rent in asking. Plus their company website has only been registered for a month. But they insisted I shouldn't bother with the check. All adds up to a dodgy story I think.

As I say I'm just doing some due diligence which I hope will pay off in the long run with a good tenant. And I'll do my best to be a good landlord too.

steampowered

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

I guess you've changed your mind about opting for tenant #2, steampowered

Yup. As with all tenants, if the tenant is not able to provide proof of income, that is a red flag !

45002

antilles wrote:

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of letting my house and am showing round prospective tenants. Two of them are looking to put a holding deposit down. Property is currently empty hence I'm still paying utilities and council tax.

Option 1 - married couple with 2 young kids, both employed full time, live locally, know the area well and kids go to local school. Been in current property over 3 years. Looking to upsize/get more space. They say credit is good (not checked credit or references yet) Only downside is they can't move in for 5 weeks as current landlord needs notice.

Option 2 - company owner/self employed (couple) that can move in immediately (says current landlord is selling up so they can move immediately). Says he has poor credit from setting up their company so would fail credit checks, but they are able to pay deposit and first month's rent immediately.

I haven't done any credit checks yet but...I want to let ASAP so feel like 5 weeks is a long time to wait given the costs associated with keeping a house empty. However my gut feel is that option 1 would stay for longer and looks like a good tenant. Any thoughts on which prospect to go for?

Thanks

For reference



https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/residential-letting-questions/1066532-which-tenant-to-choose




..........

DaftyDuck

Neither is ideal. Why aren't you still looking?