Letting and referencing a couple who are moving in together

haveabreak

Hello

I have a couple (female currently flat sharing in the area, the male living out of town) who are looking to move in together for a 12m tenancy. They viewed the property and the male applicant stated he will be paying the rent. The female applicant later stated she intends to pay the bills

I mentioned I intend to run reference and credit checks (via a referencing agency) for both applicants. And since both applicants are living in the property both names will be included in the tenancy agreement. 

If the female fails the referencing (e.g. financially) is it ok to continue with the let given the male passes? 
And is there anything particular I need to write in the tenancy agreement given that the male will be paying the rent? 

Any help will be appreciated.

_Penny_Dreadful

haveabreak said:

Hello

I have a couple (female currently flat sharing in the area, the male living out of town) who are looking to move in together for a 12m tenancy. They viewed the property and the male applicant stated he will be paying the rent. The female applicant later stated she intends to pay the bills

I mentioned I intend to run reference and credit checks (via a referencing agency) for both applicants. And since both applicants are living in the property both names will be included in the tenancy agreement. 

If the female fails the referencing (e.g. financially) is it ok to continue with the let given the male passes? 
And is there anything particular I need to write in the tenancy agreement given that the male will be paying the rent? 

Any help will be appreciated.

You’re the landlord. It’s down to you to decide if you want each to be able to pass your referencing financially or if you’re satisfied with just one of them passing. What is your bench mark for affordability? 

As this is a joint tenancy each will have joint and several liability for paying the full rent rent. How they decide to divvy up the rent and bills between them is up to them but you can go after either or both for the rent. 

Zoe02

Your decision really but if the lead tenant passes reference and affordability then can still add both their names on the tenancy or just the lead tenant.

I have found that some people are desperate and lie.

I recently listed my flat on Openrent and lied about working at Uber and his income.
I did comprehensive reference via openrent and it was taking a while, i eventually insisted that they send me what they have and was shocked to discover that he had given employment reference contact as a made up gmail email address something like uberanalyst.uk@gmail.com

I am surprised Openrent even accept non official email for employment reference for a company like Uber.

propertyrental

You're the LL so it's up to you whether to let to them or not, based on whether you think the rent will be paid and the property looked after.

The only caveat is if you are taking out a rent guarantee insurance policy. That might stipulate what referencing must be used and what criteria set.