Many new landlords worry most about taking on their first tenant as they feel they are stepping off a cliff into a completely alien environment for them.
To allay these fears, we recommend the use of the following set of actions to make sure that the person we choose will be a great tenant.
The first thing you need to see from the tenant as a minimum is the last 3 months bank statements (6 months are better if you can get them) so that you can see their regular income from salaries and that their rent has been paid on time each month.
The next check is a reference from their current/last landlord and the landlord before last.
Remember if they are “problem” tenants, the current landlord might say anything to move them on and make them your problem, not theirs!
If anything looks odd at this point, the recommendation is to call the agent/landlord and see what they say over the phone as they may expand further.
You must remember to be very careful what you write about tenants!
Then you need, if you are happy to proceed, to get a full check through an agency and this should include as a minimum.
- Their job and length of time employed.
- Their salary
- Any CCJ (County Court Judgement) against their name and in the case of a couple, against either and both names
- Any adverse credit reports.
If then everything looks OK, you have probably found your tenant.
The above is not an exhaustive list to find your ideal tenant and there will be the odd one who slips through the net; but by taking all the steps shown above, you are weighing the odds heavily in your favour.
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