Tenant Reference Check.
Do You Need To Run An Inspection?
A comprehensive tenant reference check is an excellent first step to ensure you get reliable tenants and save yourself the trouble.
A problem-free tenant is every landlord’s ideal. Locate a reliable tenant with rent payments who will respect your property as if it were their own. Your time and money could be better spent in the long term if you don’t have to deal with an inappropriate tenant. Having the wrong tenant can cause a lot of hassle, from coordinating property maintenance to making up for late rent. A tenant reference check can come in handy in such situations.
Tenant Reference Check
A landlord can learn more about a potential renter by conducting tenant reference checks. Landlords can learn a lot about a potential renter’s suitability for their home by checking references. Landlords can choose to do the background checks themselves or hire a reputable rental agency or tenant vouch referencing service.
A credit check is one of the most common tenant reference checks done by landlords and rental agents. Things like affordability calculators, employment checks, and other background screening processes are part of more extensive references.
Steps to Do A Tenant Reference
A tenant reference check is something that many private landlords choose to handle independently. In addition to saving money, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the checks have been thoroughly conducted without the need for a reference check business.
Pre-screening Process
An easy way to do a preliminary screening is to set up a phone call and ask some basic questions. You should inquire about the applicant’s work status, smoking habits, and pet ownership, but the specific questions you ask should be tailored to your needs. It’s a great chance to explain your standards and the qualities you seek in a tenant. Applying pre-screening criteria will help you weed out candidates who are not a good fit before you even start checking their references.
Tenant Reference Checklist
If you choose to proceed with the tenant reference check, you can use this list as a guide for checking references after the pre-screening. While it’s likely that you will only need some items on this list, it might serve as a guide as you create your system to vouch referencing potential tenants.
Credit check
Bank statements
Proof of address
Proof of identity
Previous landlord reference
Right to rent tenant reference letter
Verify that the landlord reference is the same individual who owns the property by consulting the online Land Registry. You can still verify the landlord reference’s legitimacy by checking the Land Registry, even if the applicant is employing a guarantor instead.
There is a £3,000 penalty for failing to conduct these tenant reference checks or for renting to a tenant who does not qualify. The government has a web page where you can learn more about your tenant’s right to rent.
Using Professional Property Management Services
You can save time by using a proficient and trustworthy letting agent. Professional tenant reference services typically give a range of options, from simple checks to in-depth inquiries.
Your personal preference is the deciding factor. Some landlords prefer to take a more hands-on approach to understand their potential tenants better, but some property owners would rather have the experts handle it.
Homes 4UK is one such professional available to help you with your property. From verifying tenants to managing rents and upkeep, we can do it all for you.
