A question for landlords, do you have blanket policies or are you open to discussion

Tassotti

Wow BB, this is the only thing that I agree with you..

Most HB tenants are scum (not all, before I get slated)

Example..

I have 1 bet flat for rent now...You need good references and need to earn 20K per year before you even view it!!

Harsh..maybe...Its my investment, I decide who lives there.

Tass

lil_me

So someone who was on £32k a year in benefits who would receive their rent paid by LHA in addition to this wouldn't get a viewing even if they had gleaming references? See this is where the lady I am tryin to currently help is having problems. They have been in the same house for years (before she gave up work as a teacher when their boys were born who are both disabled, their disabilities will kill them before adulthood is about the only certainty the doctors have given them) now the landlord has passed away the son wishes to sell and they are hitting brick walls with blanket NO DSS policies, such a shame as they are a wonderful family, who can afford the rent easily, who have really looked after their current home.

Based on my experience, helping those on benefits find the light at the end of some very dark tunnels, I would say 75% are great people who I would gladly let a house to if I was a landlord. From the proffesionals I know who play as hard as they work, are useless with money, 90% I wouldn't let a house to. The 'proffesionals' who rent the flats where I live are an absolute nightmare! They were screaming and fighting last night coming out of a party at one of the flats (at 3am) I really don't know how they get up for work the next day.

I agree completely that a landlord should protect their investment.

Snooze

subjecttocontract wrote: »

Here is my checklist...........this should evoke a few negative comments. Guess what? I really don't care.....its my money & my business and I'm entitlede to take all the care I want. Read on.....

The most important thing that any potential landlord can do is choose their tenants very very carefully.

1. Get Referencies.....bank, employer and previous landlord.
2. Take out rent guarantee insurance.....its not expensive.
3. Get a guarantor.
4. Don't let to people with pets or children......the risk of them giving you problems are big.
5. Don't let to smokers........you won't get rid of the smell.
6. Don’t do company lets.
7. Don’t let to anyone on benefits. (DSS))
8. Don't let to anyone who isn't working full time.
9. Inspect properties every 3 months initially.
10. Only let initially on a 6 month AST.....that way you can both part company after 6 months if you don't get on.
11. Use a reputable agent OR one who has been recommended OR do it yourself (only if you know what to do).
12. Meet your tenants personally. Make sure you ask all the right questions and gauge wether they are right for you.
13. Issue a section 21 as soon as the property is let.
14. Make sure there is an inventory & schedule of condition.
15. Protect the deposit.
16. Remember its a business....so avoid emotion & being overly sympathetic to your tenants.
17. Read as much as you can about renting & letting.....educate yourself.

Why don't you just put a sign up outside your house saying "this house is not to let" :rolleyes: it would be far simpler.

Cloud cuckoo land...

Rob

mrs.maverick

Speaking as a LL myself, I have lost track of the number of times we have had to get rid of scum tenants, and no, they weren't all DSS, some were so called 'professionals'.

I have just seen one of my tenants throw some rubbish outside his front door because he couldn't be @rs%d to take it to the bin outside. They are brought up to believe that the world owes them, that there is always someone else to clear up after them, that paying the rent is optional, and it's perfectly OK to trash the place before finally being evicted because after all, it's not their place, is it?! And the Government wants to give them 'more responsibility' over their finances!!!

clutton_2

Vincenzo - i have a strap line on my business docs which says "The Ethical Landlords" and i like to think that is how i run my business - i enjoy giving young folks a helping hand and seeing them blossom and get their lives back on track after a difficult time. As far as the business side goes - the rent comes in from the local authority on a regular basis with no breaks, no problems, no worries and i know that i will have long term tenants. So few LLS take on single parents mums - that everytime i advertise (and because i dont put "no DSS" very often,) i get inundated with calls.

It has to be a great opportunity if you get the correct checks and balances in place as i outlined above.

But it is a people business and some single parent mums do need a lot of support initially, but, as they are looking after my investment, i look after them.

i have a property empty as of this week and one of my other tenants has a family member who is looking for a place - so if they measure up - there's new tenants with no advertising.

mel19632

Just to add my own tuppence....

I have not been a LL for a long time, but both our properties are let to DSS familes and they are both delightful - they call me when necessary, but don't bother me. Both families have requested to do repainting (which I have inspected and is good quality) and one family asked me if they could replace the carpet in the hall, stairs and landing.

Both houses when inspected are always immaculate.

I can understand some people have had bad experiences with DSS, but they are not all bad! Our insurance is also not ridiculous - £350 buildings on a 3 bed house for a year, and on our other property the insurance is covered by the maintance charge (and yes we have told the insurnace companies who we are renting to).

I hope this helps your family lil_me!

Vincenzo

clutton wrote: »

Vincenzo - i have a strap line on my business docs which says "The Ethical Landlords" and i like to think that is how i run my business - i enjoy giving young folks a helping hand and seeing them blossom and get their lives back on track after a difficult time. As far as the business side goes - the rent comes in from the local authority on a regular basis with no breaks, no problems, no worries and i know that i will have long term tenants. So few LLS take on single parents mums - that everytime i advertise (and because i dont put "no DSS" very often,) i get inundated with calls.

It has to be a great opportunity if you get the correct checks and balances in place as i outlined above.

But it is a people business and some single parent mums do need a lot of support initially, but, as they are looking after my investment, i look after them.

i have a property empty as of this week and one of my other tenants has a family member who is looking for a place - so if they measure up - there's new tenants with no advertising.

I am not sure why ethics have to come into it? I personally would not want to take the risk that HB tenants are wrongfully claiming benefits and as the Landlord receiving them, you would ultimately be liable for return of those funds. I am also of the opinion that anyone who is not putting up their own depsosit or their own funds towards the rent is less likely to feel obliged to look after the property. You are also open to 'less savioury types', whether in person or by association.

You are obviously taking due diligence and it is working well for you and I can only applaud your attitude. I would suggest however that your experience is the exception to the rule.

barnaby-bear

clutton wrote: »

Vincenzo - i have a strap line on my business docs which says "The Ethical Landlords" and i like to think that is how i run my business - i enjoy giving young folks a helping hand and seeing them blossom and get their lives back on track after a difficult time. As far as the business side goes - the rent comes in from the local authority on a regular basis with no breaks, no problems, no worries and i know that i will have long term tenants. So few LLS take on single parents mums - that everytime i advertise (and because i dont put "no DSS" very often,) i get inundated with calls.

It has to be a great opportunity if you get the correct checks and balances in place as i outlined above.

But it is a people business and some single parent mums do need a lot of support initially, but, as they are looking after my investment, i look after them.

i have a property empty as of this week and one of my other tenants has a family member who is looking for a place - so if they measure up - there's new tenants with no advertising.

You are also a professional LL though in it for the long term. A lot of people intend to let for a short time - a few years, perhaps whilst seeing if moving in with partner works out, due to a job move, as an 'investment'... a lot of mortgage companies are wary of DSS/HB/LHA tenants as are LLs because it's difficult for these tenants to find new accommodation and to be eligible for housing association/council tenure they have to sit tight when served notice and be formally evicted or else make themselves voluntarily homeless... so whilst they maybe decent tenants and forced to do this it's a scenario a lot of LLs want to avoid. Since you are in it as a long term business and the property isn't your main home (as with people working away) the getting the property back issue is probably less of a worry.

Vincenzo

barnaby-bear wrote: »

You are also a professional LL though in it for the long term. A lot of people intend to let for a short time - a few years, perhaps whilst seeing if moving in with partner works out, due to a job move, as an 'investment'... a lot of mortgage companies are wary of DSS/HB/LHA tenants as are LLs because it's difficult for these tenants to find new accommodation and to be eligible for housing association/council tenure they have to sit tight when served notice and be formally evicted or else make themselves voluntarily homeless... so whilst they maybe decent tenants and forced to do this it's a scenario a lot of LLs want to avoid. Since you are in it as a long term business and the property isn't your main home (as with people working away) the getting the property back issue is probably less of a worry.

Excellent points. Which remind me that when I obtained consent to let from my mortgage company (the property has a resi mortgage) the agreement I signed specifically prohibited me from letting to DSS tenants. I expect for the reasons highlighted above by barnaby-bear.