I saw a listing on openrent. And requested for viewing. The landlord has contacted me . But with an international number and the email I received from him is suspicious. Hotmail. And not from an official email. He is requesting for some information from me before I get booked for viewing. Sensitive information like my payslip. And I haven’t viewed the house yet. Is this okay? Or am I just scared? Please I need urgent response. Thanks.
How do I confirm the landlord and listing is real?
Message him through the openrent platform as you would have done originally in response to the advert.
Its too early in the process to be asking an applicant for such information and the landlord should be explaining how they will handle the applicants data through a GDPR privacy notice and confirmation of ICO registration before asking.
I suggest you explain youre not comfortable giving the information at this stage.
I agree, but I have seen Landlords mention through this forum that they get applicants to jump through these hoops, even before inviting them for a viewing.
I am an inexperienced landlord that has only listed a property on two occasions. I have followed advice on this forum requesting information on prospective tenants. Income, employment details and ID. I listed a property end of July early August and got inundated with 30 - 40 requests for viewings. It’s can become time consuming to give everyone a viewing. I want to know that they are eligible to rent before I offer a viewing. It’s called vetting so I am not wasting my and their time. I also work so I let those view that are available when I am available. You can’t give everyone a viewing
I categorically ask tenants regarding CCJ and a lot of other information before the viewing
At viewing he was overly keen and wanted to know the next steps.
This guy did a FaceTime viewing for his future housemate whilst he was with me.
I made it clear that if any discrepancies arose between their story and referencing / credit checks they would lose their holding deposit .
I wasted an hour of my time , my fuel , listening to his detritus , photos of his kids etc etc
People say anything for a viewing.
They charm you because they think you’re a pushover and you end up wasting your life being polite enough to have to look at their family photos (just because I’m a woman ?…. I’m not interested it’s a ruse and I wasn’t born yesterday )
He then told me he couldn’t make a decision on behalf of his housemate ( who was on an active FaceTime viewing whilst the conversation took place ) etc etc and he was going to Portugal for two weeks ( but on the phone he wanted to move in asap )
When it comes to money they never contact you again
If I’d of asked for his credit score before the viewing i might have saved over an hour of my life and my fuel
Maybe it’s time to look at credit scores before I waste my time
The arrogance of a man is to think by showing me pictures of his kids I’ll overlook his credit check
It’s patronising
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I ask these simple questions. It enables me to select applicants for viewing. I don’t ask for proof of any of this, as I don’t feel that’s necessary at the early stage;
Thanks for your enquiry about this property.
This is an auto reply to help me gather further information about you to help me consider your enquiry.
Could you please reply to answer these questions;
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What source of income do you have available to pay for the rent?
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What is your annual income, or combined annual income if you intent to rent jointly with another person.
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Have you rented a property before, and if so will your previous/existing landlord be able to provide a reference?
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Do you have a guarantor available if necessary to support any rental contract?
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When would you want to move in?
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Who would be living at the property if you were to move in, and how are you related to them?
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Do you plan to keep pets in the property, and if so, please provide details?
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Has anyone who will be living in the property got a CCJ, IVA, Bad Debt, or subject to bankruptcy proceedings?
Yes, I ask a similar set of questions and find it is usually enough to select a shortlist for viewings. I think its not acceptable to ask a stranger for their payslips as soon as they introduce themselves.
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I think most experienced landlords ask that
People lie about question 8 and That’s a problem
An Experian pie chart would have saved me a hours travel time and an hours viewing
In the good old days I could charge for that. Now it’s free .
One more addition of an Experian pie chart which they can download for free will eliminate the chancers on q8
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