Every landlord should have a standard set of questions they ask any prospective renter who wants to view the property. In Brighton and Hove, local monthly rents exceed the South East average, and demand is typically high. Pre-screening questions can save you from processing a rental application for unsuitable tenants.
Remember, it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of their sex, race, religion or sexuality. Treat prospective tenants fairly and equally – your background checks should be the same for every person.
These questions are not a substitute for proper tenant referencing. Collect an employment reference, previous landlord references and credit references for your tenant before signing the tenancy agreement.
Try asking your prospective tenants these thirteen questions. Once you’re happy with their answers, go ahead and arrange the viewings!
The screening process ensures prospective tenants can meet their obligations and that your expectations align. Tenant screening can uncover a red flag at the start of the application process – far easier than evicting nightmare tenants. Ideally, they can provide good references from landlords and employers and haven’t previously broken a rental agreement.
You want to minimise void periods, so a prospective tenant looking to move in a few months may not be a good match if your property is available immediately.
Conversely, if you’re marketing your property in advance, showing it to a tenant who needs to move immediately will waste a lot of time for both parties.
If you want a tenant who can remain in your property for a more extended period, make that clear. Perhaps you plan on renovating later this year and want to engage a tenant on a short-term let. Get on the same wavelength from the start of the application process.
You want a tenant who is moving for legitimate reasons, such as moving out of a parent’s home, relocating with work, getting more space or reducing their commute.
Be wary of tenants moving because of disagreements with their previous landlord or neighbours.
If they currently rent their home, ask ‘how long have you lived there?’ The duration of past tenancies can hint at whether they’re reliable long-term tenants. Tenants with a history of hopping from one rented home to the next may do the same to you.
This background check question helps to evaluate if applicants will be honest tenants. If your prospective tenant has not informed their current landlord that they are considering moving, ask why.
You want to ensure your tenant can meet the rent payments on time. During tenant screening, look for a tenant whose monthly income is roughly three times the rent.
Ask what line of work they are in and try to gauge their financial situation. Do they have a steady job earning a reliable income?
You are looking for an outright ‘No’ here! There is plenty of evidence that past evictions are predictive of future behaviour.
However, there may be extenuating circumstances. If their finances are in order and they can provide a guarantor, eviction needn’t disqualify applicants.
During the background check, ask rental applicants for references to confirm their relationship with their past and current landlord and employer. Ensure that they can provide ID (e.g. a passport) and utility bills for proof of address.
Avoid a monthly struggle to collect rent by asking if tenants have the security deposit ready. Remember, the security deposit can’t legally exceed five weeks’ rent.
It can be an advantage if your tenants have a guarantor. The guarantor is liable to cover the rent if the tenants can’t or don’t, giving you greater financial protection.
If your prospective tenant owns pets, be aware that the new Renters’ Reform Bill grants pet owners legal rights. But you can refuse with solid grounds. For instance, you can reasonably decide against renting a small apartment to tenants with a large dog.
Smoking can damage your property, so set out your policy and consequences in the tenancy agreement. If your prospective tenant is a smoker, make them aware.
Ensure that there is enough space for everyone staying in your rental property. Don’t exceed legal limits; remember that more people equals more wear and tear.
All tenants over 18 should be named on the tenancy agreement, making them jointly responsible for adhering to the contract terms.
If you’d rather not get involved in screening tenants and conducting viewings, handing the job over to a reliable letting agent could be a good move. Visit our landlords’ page to learn more about our property management services, or get in touch with us today.
Do you have any questions about the topic above? Our team of experts is here to help in answering any query you may have.
Fueled by his desire to be the best, most reputable estate and lettings agent in town, Steve has spent his career cultivating The Property Shop. Steve prides himself on his authenticity, honesty, and knowledge-base which is emulated by The Property Shop and his team.
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