Landlords on your toes & get it right

Minimize Risk The great thing about the UK is the capability of checking out someone we want to do business with before committing.

Landlords its time to get on the ball and ensure your rental agent is working for you. After all its you who pays the fee not the incoming tenant

I know that you maybe excited that your agent has found you a tenant and was quick in doing so. Be aware that in this market its far easier to find a tenant the key is finding the right tenant.

However Agents do not always provide you with the perfect tenant. So my tip for today is insist that the agent provides you with all references. Do not be fobbed off with excuses for not getting the references you expect.

Checks for a tenant should include bank reference, credit check, previous Landlord, job reference or for self employed an accountants reference. An agent can apply for these manually or use a vetting agency to obtain the checks. We tend to use the latter as they are proficient in obtaining all information and often do so within 24 to 48 hours a plus in getting a deal in the bag before your prospective tenant is lured away by other agencies.

Recently our Poole lettings office has been quite frustrated at a spate of applicants who we have turned away due to negative checks and who simply go to another agency and are granted a tenancy. Interestingly most of these tenants were intro only arrangements where the agent was paid on completion and walked away

Often Tailor Made find out about the rogue tenant that we turned away a few months later when a Landlord comes to us for advice to resolve the problems

Many agencies have commission staff who are finding it tough in the current crisis and push through applicants who may not stack up. The most recent case I am aware of the previous Landlord had informed us that Mr H had trashed the house and left without paying the last 2 months. Yet the other agents Landlord who accepted them had not been provided with a previous Landlord reference. Agents may tell you that previous Landlords reference isnt worth having as they may be keen to get rid of a horror Tenant and so provide a positive reference. My experience shows very few owners will do this so its worth having a Landlord reference.

So there you have it the way forward is to ask your agent to show you copies of the checks that have been made and then insist on obtaining any that you feel should be provided make sure you get the complete picture.

Be nosey be safe