Landlords - advice on tenant referencing please

Not a landlord, but I think I'd be cautious too. So you've asked for X and they've basically said "you can have Y and be happy about it"? Cheeky feckers.

We jumped through several hoops to rent our current house, which was a total pain in the bum, but we really wanted the house so we did what we had to to get it.

Whever I have moved I have always jujst been asked for the details of references and then the agency/landlord has got in touch with them to get them. I've also only ever had 2 references each time and a credit check. is there any way you can ask them for a credit report as that and the two references should be enough.

I would be a bit cautious. Not a landlord, but as a tenant I have always been asked for quite a bit of paperwork to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Is it the tenants that are being rude, or the letting agency saying that they have enough now?

If they cannot provide what is required, I would turn them down as its a long road to get rid of them if they don't pay.

If they aren't willing to provide what you are asking of them (normal request imo) tell them to find somewhere else. End of story.

If they're like this now, what are they going to be like 6 months down the line?

We have just finished being referenced etc and have had hell of a time with the referencing agency (so much so that the letting agency have parted ways with them!). Although I would have loved to go back and tell them where to stick some of the stuff they demanded, we never did. I would say that you're right to be cautious if not only have they refused to offer a guarantor, but also have this attitude about it. It's possible that they can't get anyone to be a guarantor for them, but I would be wary about them being difficult in other ways.

I'm a landlady and I would insist on the information I asked for. If they don't want to provide it then I would tell them to find somewhere else to rent and if they can't provide it then I certainly wouldn't want them there anyway.

Your agent will be doing whatever makes their life easiest so don't let the agent pressure you into accepting tenants that aren't checking out properly. You are asking for these things for a reason.

Thank you for all your replies, has helped to know I'm not being over cautious.

We've asked for a guarantor once more and if that isn't forthcoming it'll be back to square one again looking for more tenants.

Thank you all again, much appreciated.

I would echo what everyone else said to be honest. My tenants were awkward when they moved in ( and I bent over backwards doing stuff) and equally awkward when they moved out. I wish I'd told them to stuff it and found someone else.

Examples include, being alllowed in two months early (for free) to decorate and they never even said thanks, insisting I got a gardener in due to the state of the gardens and then doing absolutely nothing with them in the year they were in, and then claiming on moving out that they were only responsible for mowing the lawn, leaving the washing machine unplumbed-in (but you can get the guy next door to do it).

In hindsight I would never rent to them again, and even considered recinding my reference to the Housing Association. But I think the lesson is that if they are awkward at the beginning, they will continue to be, so steer clear!

Is payment in advance an option for the lady ??

I agree with the others. in the current market its easy to find tenants, so if they dont give you what you want, tell them to beat it.

From what you say, they don't want to give you the guarantor or bank reference?

I'd say that's quite off because what they've given you is a letter saying they've sold their house and a letter saying they are very nice people, but not any thing to really confirm that they can pay the rent.

When we've rented in the past we've had to give reference from previous landlord plus letter from employer saying salary is enough to cover rent, and/or credit check.

It's not that big a deal unless you're hiding something...

Thank you for all the replies. We are meeting them on Saturday morning & they are going to bring proof of ability to pay the rent. What this is I don't know. I agree with you all that we should look for tenants elsewhere. They'll struggle to rent anywhere else with their attitude, I don't know why H is being such a soft touch.

Thank you again

Agree with others. A character reference is not a bank reference. Proof that they have sold their house doesn't mean they still have the funds from the sale - they could have all been used to pay off other debts.

Sorry, cant help. But I hope it works out for you. Just wondering what you would have said if someone wanted to do both, rent then buy later? I have posted about this today but an opinion from someone in your situation would be very helpful

x

We would have said possibly yes, let's have a 12 month contract with a 6 month break clause, see how it goes and then have the discussion at a later date. I wouldn't have made a definite commitment but it would have been a significant possibility. Re: your other post, I think you have nothing to lose. Call them, put your cards ont he table & see what they say. X

Right, being a soft touch is no good, its the wrong message to give as if they default one month, they are going to think that you will let them catch up etc etc. Your going into business technically, so you need your business hat on.

You need a bank reference, they do cost I think but its imperative that the bank agrees that they are able to fund the rent. If you have asked for references from these, then tough if they don't want to give them, it sounds like they are hiding something to me..

The first time I rented out on my own I actually went to a solicitors and they did the tenant search (they had books of peoples names and I got one within weeks).. they did all the checks and references and basically started everything up and got the contract signed etc etc, it cost me 400.00 for their time but it was so worth it. You can't afford to become emotionally attached at any stage, landlording can be hardwork.

As for your tenants, are they benefits such as housing/council tax benefit.. if this is the case - you can have the HB money paid to you instead of them, they will get a form from the council and you are meant to sign it to say who pays into what account. I would be wary, if they are trying to avoid giving you what you want, they probably aren't the type to be forthcoming with all the info (if they are on benefits) therefore there is the risk that payments would be suspended until sorted out so you could go without payment for a while. This is the reason alot of people don't want benefit claimants being in their houses.