Hi
I've just bought my first house/rental and plan to live in one of the rooms and rent out the other two. Currently in the processes of learning what is required from me etc.
I am looking for flatmates (so there will not be any tenancy agreement in place, only a written and signed flatmate agreement). What checks do you do when looking for tenants/flatmates?
Whenever someone as expressed interest via email/text, I email them back a standard form that asks:
-When they would like to move in
-How long they are likely to stay (approx)
-Name, contact details
-Details of current landlord (and whether I can contact them to get a reference)
-Details of two referees (or one if they have provided their current landlord)
*Whether they have had any orders served against them by the tenancy tribunal
*Have they had any drug related offenses (eg methamphetamine production etc)
I only plan to let them see my place -ONCE- they have filled out all the information after I have done all the credit and referee checks. I mention that the information will be used to do a credit and reference check. If they don't get back to me, that is a test in itself as they may have something to hide. When I do see them, I ask they bring photo ID which I take a photo of right there and then to confirm they are who they say they are.
My problem is that I think any prospective tenants (technically flatmates) are intimidated by this form and scared off. However as I cannot lodge a bond (see thread here http://www.propertytalk.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=25544) because they are flatmates and not tenants (therefore no tenancy agreement) I think doing these checks is a prudent thing to do as I really have nothing else to fall back on. I have since removed the last two questions (the ones with the *) since they were probably unnecessary, but in my opinion, not over the top.
After reading some of the horror stories here, I'd prefer to not let the bad ones into the property in the first place, rather than relying on the bond to cover any damage/missed rent.
Some of my friends say they don't do any credit/referee checks, and that they judge everything based on their meeting with the prospective tenant, the way they dress, talk and whether their car has been modified. But I know that if I have any problems and ask here, everyone will say "Well you should have done your credit/referee checks, you were an absolutely stupid idiot not to do them"
Suggestions, pointers?
I've just bought my first house/rental and plan to live in one of the rooms and rent out the other two. Currently in the processes of learning what is required from me etc.
I am looking for flatmates (so there will not be any tenancy agreement in place, only a written and signed flatmate agreement). What checks do you do when looking for tenants/flatmates?
Whenever someone as expressed interest via email/text, I email them back a standard form that asks:
-When they would like to move in
-How long they are likely to stay (approx)
-Name, contact details
-Details of current landlord (and whether I can contact them to get a reference)
-Details of two referees (or one if they have provided their current landlord)
*Whether they have had any orders served against them by the tenancy tribunal
*Have they had any drug related offenses (eg methamphetamine production etc)
I only plan to let them see my place -ONCE- they have filled out all the information after I have done all the credit and referee checks. I mention that the information will be used to do a credit and reference check. If they don't get back to me, that is a test in itself as they may have something to hide. When I do see them, I ask they bring photo ID which I take a photo of right there and then to confirm they are who they say they are.
My problem is that I think any prospective tenants (technically flatmates) are intimidated by this form and scared off. However as I cannot lodge a bond (see thread here http://www.propertytalk.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=25544) because they are flatmates and not tenants (therefore no tenancy agreement) I think doing these checks is a prudent thing to do as I really have nothing else to fall back on. I have since removed the last two questions (the ones with the *) since they were probably unnecessary, but in my opinion, not over the top.
After reading some of the horror stories here, I'd prefer to not let the bad ones into the property in the first place, rather than relying on the bond to cover any damage/missed rent.
Some of my friends say they don't do any credit/referee checks, and that they judge everything based on their meeting with the prospective tenant, the way they dress, talk and whether their car has been modified. But I know that if I have any problems and ask here, everyone will say "Well you should have done your credit/referee checks, you were an absolutely stupid idiot not to do them"
Suggestions, pointers?
Comment