I had a prospective tenant, who, at first seemed promising, but on him viewing the property, revealed he has debt, once I had advised him I would be doing a tenant check via Openrent.
He then revealed his current landlord is dealing with cash-in-hand rent and not letting authorities know he is letting out. Also, he said a friend has offered to pay the deposit for him.
Worrying, eh?
I had decided not to have him as a tenant, but still paid for the comprehensive check, just to clarify the situation and know exactly where I stand. Basically, to confirm I was making the right decision.
I got a call from this potential tenant to say his landlord is refusing to give his email to anyone, even the tenant hisrlf but will chat to me via mobile phone only. This has stalled the check.
Well dodgy!
How do you suggest I word my refusal to him and explain I will advertise for another tenant?
I want to explain that I have a major investment, which I must protect, plus it is a very well maintained property in a desirable area, meaning I must make sure who moves in is fully vetted.
Do not say too much
Just say you are proceeding with another applicant you wish him well in your future endeavours
Do not read the riot act unless you want a legal case on your doorstep
Tenants have sued successfully for less
Referencing is short and sweet
do not feel you have to explain why . You do not have to give a reason or explain how valuable your place is . Keep your views on him to yourself. It is safer . Trust the replies here .
I would not say that he will not pass referencing
That’s a cause for action on his part
Last year I was in a similar situation
I was approached twice by the same person
The first time I said at least six months
At six months I apologised and said it was gone
He’s not the only tenant on the planet
Say the project is delayed or your selling but don’t say anything negative to him
People turn very quickly if they thinks it’s personal
He may smash your windows overnight
Don’t trigger him
David Smoth always says don’t say anything apart from your proceeding with another applicant
People are too quick to take legal action
Don’t stitch yourself up
Well when he finds out that house is still on the market - how will you explain! Your plan is more risky. By the way I would love to see HMRC knocking his landlords door one day!
I phoned and explained I could not proceed as the referencing could not proceed and it is a requirement in order to rent the house.
He was fine about it and said it is due to his current landlord refusing to reveal his email. He asked if I would prefer him to phone the landlord again or to let things drop…I chose the latter and apologised.
He accepted this and it was not as difficult a conversation as I thought it would be.
His landlord is only charging half the going rent too! So I needed to be sure that he could afford my rate, which is still below the full going rate.
You don’t need to justify yourself
What you shouldn’t do is give them cause
I’ve had one guy accost me for several times for different houses
The last time I told him I was selling
It was late and getting dark I was really uncomfortable that he wasn’t letting me pass
He kept pushing but I know he’s house hopping and he forced himself into a property without permission
I blocked his number and just avoid him if I see him
They eventually get the message and stop speaking to you
It’s not your problem
Your first responsibility is to yourself not anyone else
The world sees compassion as a weakness and goodwill is a thing of yesteryear
People and society have changed and we have to adjust to a new norm
As soon as he mentioned debt’s that’s a no.
This is a business for your livelihood don’t jeopardise it.
Just be honest and say no as he won’t pass the credit checks.
He is probably aware that his application is tenuous. Can you not just use the Open Rent app to refuse the applications and refund any holding deposit? Just say sorry but you have not passed Openrent referencing. He will need to have a tough conversation with his landlord, but you are better off away from all of this. (I usually ask people if they have references before getting to the reference stage. It saves time and hassle).
I phoned him to say he was unsuccessful. He was fine with it.
Just before having a lady for viewing, who appears promising, I got a phone call from the dodgy landlord of the previous guy who wanted to rent.
The lanlord tried telling me he always has been good friends with his tenant and the tenant was pushed for a place to live. He then said he told this guy that if he did the place up, he’d let him stay for free, as it means more than receiving rent, but after a while the tenant started to give him a bit of payment too.
No way am I believing that in a million years, so I told this guy I am dealing with another potential tenant now.
A lot of people wouldn’t pass a credit check I took a man in he didn’t pass but had just sold a house so had money in the bank my best tenant ever he had bad debt as a student but that was 20 years ago so even if someone does tick all the box’s I wouldn’t turn them away
I had a woman with all sorts of similar red flags, it took at most 2 weeks from her first viewing to her failing referencing (although she said she had lots of ways she could “prove” she had sufficient income)
When I declined her application she came out with elaborate stories about an abusive neighbour where she lived and “it was all my fault” that she couldn’t move out now, and that I’d let her down and “all her plans would have to change”, etc. I probably got 10 messages from her that day.
This all just helped convince me that I’d made the right choice, as it was a completely unreasonable exchange.
If you get a bad feeling about someone, follow your instincts.