Every landlord wants to find the perfect tenant – it can save a lot of time and money and can provide peace of mind that your property is being properly cared for. It also means you’ll continue to receive your rent when you need it.
But what can you do to give yourself the best chance of finding a tenant who behaves well, respects your property and keeps up their payments? Here are the top ten things to look out for when choosing a new tenant, compiled by property law and commercial litigation specialists Blackstone Solicitors:
The Tenant’s History
The best way to find out more about a prospective tenant and whether or not they fit your profile of a perfect occupant is to research their history as a tenant. The easiest way to do this is by carrying out background checks, and one of the most useful methods is to obtain a previous landlord reference. This will tell you how a tenant has behaved in the past and whether or not they keep up payments.
The Tenant’s Ability to Pay
Your tenant has to be in a position to pay what they owe, when they owe it. This means paying rent on the correct date each month, and also paying a deposit at the beginning of a tenancy. You can get a better idea of a tenant’s ability to pay by requesting bank statements from the last three months and carrying out credit checks. Obtaining employer references can also be particularly useful here.
Proof of Identity
It may sound obvious, but it is imperative your tenants are who they say they are. There are various forms of identification you can request to see, including a valid passport, driving license, national insurance number, tax documents, insurance documents and previous utility bills (also useful for confirming previous addresses).
The Date the Tenant Can Move In
As a landlord, you want money to be rolling in from your property on a regular basis, and this will not be the case if there isn’t anybody occupying it. A tenant who can move in immediately therefore makes better financial sense than one who can only move in in two months’ time.
The Tenant’s Personality
Getting on with your tenant is key to a good working relationship and it is therefore important to find out more about a prospective tenant as soon as you can. Try and talk at length with them to discover more about what types of tenants they are likely to be, while forming a good bond early on might also result in them being more reluctant to mess you about and cause you problems.
The Tenant’s Lifestyle
The way your tenant lives their life can obviously have a big impact on the condition of your property. For instance, do they like to throw parties or entertain big groups? Do they smoke? Do they have pets? These can all lead to property damage and could affect relationships with neighbours.
The Condition of Your Property
In order to know how well your property has been looked after, it is important to have a good idea of the condition it was in to begin with. Take photographs and keep a detailed inventory so that you have a record of all items should anything break, be damaged or go missing.
The Number of Occupants
Your property will be suitable for a certain number of occupants. Any more could lead to difficulties – including health and safety issues – and that’s not to mention the fact somebody or some people could be living under your roof without paying their way. Remember, the number of people who come to view your property is not necessarily the same number who will live there.
The Length of Tenancy
Always try to find out how long your tenants are intending to stay for – whether they’re after a relatively short-term fix or would like to settle in the property for longer. This could give you some indication of not only how well they will look after the property, but also whether they may wish to make modifications.
How Happy the Tenants Are with the Property
Are the tenants pleased with everything in the property? Or will they be looking to change things, and to what extent? By asking these questions, you will get a better idea of your tenant’s plans for the property and whether or not they may cause a problem.
This article was published via UPAD Lettings Agency. 
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice on any individual circumstances.
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