you can ask what is their employment status in order to determine can they pay the rent. not just a deposit and the first months rent . But for the rest of the term of the contract. We have to choose the tenants who gell with us . I tend towards those who are tidier . They are women usually . Discrimination Yes. But at least 50% of the population will agree with me !!
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If they are genuine they wont mind the questions if they are not they will, instantly get rid of the tossers by asking to fill in a questionare
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Whilst I agree with most or all the above questions , after I have enough info on potential new tenants the following 2 things are the most important to me.
Exactly what is their job, profession.
My last 2 tenants have been a single lady Prison Officer.
And currently a single lady Police Officer.
I prefer a single tenant if possible as the house gets looked after better. And someone who is not likely to lose their job or get made redundant.
I’m told the Police are not allowed to have any debts as condition of their work contract.
Final essential for me is do I like and think I will get on with this person. After all we have to work together for the benefit of both of us. P.S, I charge reasonable rent compared to the competition and ensure the house is in tip top condition. So always lots of applicants when I advertise.
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totally right about a place being looked after better by a single person Women better than most men ,especially young men 20 to 30ish
Nigel, yes discriminating on the grounds of children is unlawful of course. But as Landlords who own and have responsibility for the property, we are not discriminating against anyone. We are just selecting the tenant who we believe will be the best fit for the property, the neighbours, and our own requirements. And it’s our choice and no one else’s. Provided we do not discriminate in the advert the choice of whom we select and why is ours and ours alone. This is not social housing.
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everyone thinks THEY are best fit for a property having seen it once. The landlord has seen it dozens of times and owns it. He or she is the ONLY person who will decide who is the best fit
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I used a screening questionairre but tried not to ask endless questions as it will put potentially good tenants off. It also gives an opportunity to make clear some of your terms.
I mainly wanted to know how they would meet the rent and deposit, why they were moving from their current accommodation, how many people would be moving in.
I said if it was a first tenancy I would require a guarantor and may require a guarantor if income didn’t cover 3 times rent. I also said that the deposit and first months rent was payable in advance and this was non negotiable. I also stated I would carry out credit checks.
I made clear I couldn’t accept more than 2 tenants due to selective licensing laws.
I only allowed viewings to people who gave comprehensive replies and met the criteria.
Even then some of the viewers were not entirely truthful so you mustn’t take what they say at face value and don’t rely entirely on reference agencies but ask for proof of income & name & contact details of current landlord.
Good luck.
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A very useful question. I kept a link to some ideas which came up before, here: What to Ask Prospective Tenants at Viewings
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Yes, I put a telephone interview list together from an internet search :
Why are you renting?
Have you ever been evicted?
Do you currently have any pets?
What’s your relationship like with your current landlord / letting agent?
What line of work are you in?
Who would be living in the property with you?
Why should I consider your application to rent my property?
Have you viewed the Virtual Tour?
Would you like to book a viewing; date and time?
"will decide" - yes, undoubtedly. Better equipped for that - not so sure. Yes, you’ve seen your property a lot and they have only once, but then you’ve seen THEM only once and they have observed themselves every day for decades. So at least you’re even 
And again, I think assessing a property (not including structural integrity and electric/gas safety) is much easier and less error prone than assessing a person.
The argument that “you have the right to discriminate because it’s your property” is not legally valid, and is no different than claiming “you have the right to discriminate because it’s your company”, when hiring an employee.
If you rent on this basis you are breaking the law, plain and simple.
I’m not arguing that you should be forced to rent to any particular person, just as when hiring, you are not obligated to hire the first person to show up. I simply don’t understand why anyone in this day and age could feel anti-discrimination is something you don’t have to obey?
I’m interested to why you think the law does not apply to you?
Honestly, do have a reason? Or do you simply figure that you will never be brought to account?
Nigel
P.S. I’m also curious to know if you would rent to a pregnant lady, with no children?
Maybe, she’s only fit for a stable?
That reminds me of a story! If only I could remember which one?
What would be your response to potential tenants who have pets and or are uncapped UC/LHA?
Are there any LL’s here in the Camden Town or surrounding areas of London here? I am looking for a large studio or modest s/c 1 bed. I am 48 year old single man on uncapped UC/ PiP and LHA with pets (projected budget including LHA approximately £1,000 per month), quiet, respectful and honest, I can provide a gaurentor and deposit and can supply 2 references (one from my current landlord whose property I have been in since 2009) and a personal reference. Drop me a line, I would love to have a chat Cheers.
Hi Nigel,
It might seem difficult to answer questions asked by landlords, however if you choose to lie and are found out then the landlord would have grounds for terminating your tenancy, should you be lucky enough to attain one.
Mike.
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Hi Nicholas27,
I believe your only allowed to ask if they have an unspent conviction, this should still be asked.
Mike.
mi62014 He only “sort of lied” a bit like “only sort of pregnant” !! either you are a liar or not, either pregnant or not…
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You can have a criminal record for being drunk and foolish when young. This happened to someone in my family when he was a 19 year old medical student and was arsey to a policeman who did a ‘stop and search’ on him leaving a club late on a Saturday night. He is now a well respected doctor but for 10 years had to bring it up at every job interview in every hospital he ever worked in because he had to have an in-depth CRB that noted his caution for ‘trying to pervert the course of justice’. Knowing about this has always made me ask for more than simply whether or not someone has a criminal record.
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Hi Judith,
It sounds like the young man has turned his life around with maturity, which is why it is good to ask about unspent convictions, while spent convictions should be forgotten about.
Mike.
Hi Nigel,
I’m curious which of the above questions you believe are unlawful. Please specify.
Mike.
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If you rent a place out and set the rent at or below the UC housing benefit amount then you will get a lot of DSS applicants, so you need to think about your rent strategy. If you have so many viewings it sounds to me like the rent is too low.
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