Ten tips for landlordsOn choosing tenants …

From Tessa Shepperson of Landlord Law

1. Get your tenant to complete a comprehensive information form

You need to have as much information as possible

The form should also authorise you to use the information when applying for credit checks

2. In the form, ask prospective tenants if they have any unspent convictions.

It sounds a horrible question to ask but many insurance companies will require you to do this

If you fail to ask, it may cause problems later if you need to make a claim

3. ALWAYS take references

always do a credit check on tenants (you will find firms who do this on the internet)

Always follow them up, and

4. Consider speaking to referees on the telephone

You may learn a lot from their tone of voice –

and from the things that they DON’T say!

5. Always treat information provided by applicants as suspect

Until it has been independently verified

E.g. via the telephone directory or the internet –

Otherwise how do you know they are not lying to you?

5. Always carry out ID checks

Request photographic ID e.g. passports or driving licenses

AND ask to see a recent utility bill for their current property.

Make sure you keep a copy.

7. Be wary of people who have moved a lot in the past How long will they be staying at YOUR property?

You may have to find another tenant sooner than you want

8. Applicants who are aggressive and antagonistic -

will probably be trouble and should be avoided – try instead to find tenants with a pleasant manner. You may have to deal with them for some time.

Follow your instinct and if you feel uneasy – choose someone else.

9. Be suspicious of tenants keen to pay all the rent in advance

particularly if this is in cash and if they appear unwilling for you to do inspections.

They could be criminals looking to convert your property into a cannabis farm

10. Don’t allow ‘desperate’ people in early because you feel sorry for them

These often turn out to be nightmare tenants –

NEVER allow tenants into occupation

• before referencing and/or • before the first months rent

and • deposit money

have cleared into your bank account. Ever.

That’s all folks!Find out more on choosing tenants, tenancy

agreements & much, much more atwww.landlordlaw.co.uk

From Tessa Shepperson of Landlord Law