Tips on vetting new tenants

Soundgirlrocks wrote: »

Do you think every 3 months is reasonable??!:eek:

I found it onerous but liveable with, it's the norm for letting agents who fully manage round here. Would not want more than that. Less would have been appreciated once the agent got to know me but I suppose agents want to tick their boxes to justify their ongoing fee.

Soundgirlrocks wrote: »

Do you think every 3 months is reasonable??!:eek:

There are some truly terrifying answers on this thread we massively need the rental sector to be overhauled. Tenants are people entitled to privacy, respect and peaceful and quiet enjoyment of their homes! How they choose to live, what their bank balance shows, really isn't the business of their landlord so long as the rent is paid and don't cause major damaged to the property.

I don't do a inspection every 3 or even 6 months but each of my tenants will get an email asking how everything is going and if anything needs attending to.

Ive had mixed results with this approach,from those who just say all is fine to those that have listed literally a page of "niggles",some I can do something about and some I cant...its not easy to change the direction of the sun to stop it shining through a particular window and the tenant seemed amazed when I suggested they could always use the supplied blind.


Not all tenants fit the same mould and there are those that like more interaction with the LL and those that wont tell you even when the main water tank is leaking and they choose to let the neighbour in the flat below report the problem via a management company and then back to me simply because one morning water was pouring thorough the ceiling to the homeowner below.


There are also the tenants that I can easily now spot as getting ready to move out,suddenly a list of things that hasn't bothered them for the duration of the tenancy now need fixing or if not fixing at least advising that they are not in the same condition as when move in happened.


I am now considering putting in a 6 month inspection,not because I care in the slightest how a tenant occupies the property but simply because I want to make sure all the fixtures and fittings are operating as they should and experience has started to prove that I cant always rely on the tenant to look at the property with the "eye to maintenance" that I have

I don't expect the tenant to tidy up or to clean for my visit but I will expect them to share any concerns for the property with me after all its not until check out that the property is handed back in good condition minus fair wear and tear.


Although to the poster who is being critical of LL practices,please remember not all LL's have multiple properties and portfolios the majority of them are actually entrusting their largest asset into the hands of someone else to live in.

I'm not defending anyone but its very easy for a tenant to cause multiple damage to a property that far exceeds the deposit held sometimes by not reporting a problem sooner or in reasonable time.

I wouldn't expect to rent a car without giving proof of being able to drive it if some LL's feel the need to ask for additional proof of responsibility or affordability then that's their choice.Its then the choice of the prospective tenant to comply or move on to find a more suitable LL for their purpose also.

shortcrust wrote: »

Do people these days really have to show potential landlords their bank statements and have them round to inspect their current living arrangements?! I’m glad I bought my own place.

I haven't had to show anyone my current living arrangements (and I don't really do Facebook so no-one will see much on there) but yes, just last week I scanned fourteen pages of bank statements and income/expenditure to my (possibly) new landlord, along with current and previous landlord details and character reference