When it comes to being as landlord in Peterborough, there isn’t much that is more stressful than a bad tenant. This can leave you with large rent arrears, damage to the property and on-going legal battles. If you are a Peterborough landlord your top priority should be to avoid bad tenants. A good starting point to help you avoid bad tenants is with a tenant reference checklist.
You don’t need to tick all the boxes of the tenant reference checklist that we have put together below for you. However, it is a good place to start when developing your own tenancy referencing process. Please note, if you use our property management services, we will complete all the tenant referencing for you. We are here to help you avoid bad tenants in your property.
- Bank Statements – Ask to see the bank statements as this will give you a clearer picture of their financial situation, incomings and outgoings.
- Credit Check – There are lots of websites out there that offer credit checks at a low price, or even free in some cases.
- Employer Reference – This will help you see where they work, how frequently they work and how much they earn. In turn, you can see if they can afford the rental payments.
- Proof Of Identity – Ask to see a council tax bill, utility bill or driving licence to see the proof of the potential tenant’s address. A passport or driving licence can be used to check their identity.
- Landlord Reference – If the tenant has rented before, then speak to their previous landlord. This information can be vital when it comes to finding out exactly what the tenant is really like.
As a landlord in England, you must conduct ‘right to rent’ checks. If these are not carried out or your tenant doesn’t meet the criteria, you could end up with a fine of up to £3,000.
A tenant reference checklist is a great place to start when it comes to avoiding bad tenants. However, it is not the be all and end all. Experience and people skills will come into play too. You need to trust your gut instincts and look out for any other red flags. These are all things that the team here at AGT Property Management and Lettings can manage on your behalf.
