Screening questions lack of reply

Landlord Discussion
1

Hi,
To narrow down unsuitable tenants, I ask a few questions on receiving a viewing request, such as

Are you working?
Who is intending to reside there ? (How many people)
Do you have any financial irregularities/ccjs ?

This is meant to save both the tenant the trouble of turning up (fuel time etc) and myself seeing unsuitable potential tenants.

When I send these questions I would say 70% do not reply and I don’t hear from them again.
Does anyone, landlord or tenant know why?
It would be good to know so as to tweak my method.

Best regards
Al

1 Like
2

I would strongly suggest that if they don’t reply, then they are not suitable. The questions you have are to sort timewasters and I think it is doing the job very well. Genuine tenants with a keen interest would have no problem answering the questions. Slowly does it; you will get a good one soon.

3 Likes
3

Should have been a smiley face so that’s a bit embarrassing

4

Thank you Mark I was hoping that is the case

5

I have a 20 question auto responder. I have to whittle down as there’s so many applying.

I would say about 40% reply. Of those only about 50% complete it.

Numbering them wouldn’t hurt.

To protect yourself I would rephrase the “are you working” one to something like “employment status”.

And also “Name of any benefits received”

6

Sometimes of 90 people applying only 3-4 complete my 6 questions! They are the only ones I consider.

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7

They have to call me and I run through questions on the phone. Many do not call me and fall at the first hurdle. Of those that call me, I probably eliminate half on the phone and only invite the remainder to view. It also gives me a chance to tell them exactly what to bring to viewing and send to me prior to that.

8

Hi, interested to know what documents you request on viewing.

9

Prior to viewing, I need to see last six months bank statements (including any savings accounts), last 6 payslips (or last year’s accounts for self-employed) and, if relevant, any statement of their right to benefits. I send them my data processing form with this request so that they know what I do with their data and how they can access it. Once I’ve been over these docs, if they still qualify, I arrange a viewing. The viewing is a good time to ask any questions I have about their finances based on what I’ve seen so far. I’m looking for a good vibe from this and the potential for rapport that is essential for a good tenant-LL relationship.

I also ask them to bring their physical ID to the viewing so I can verify their right to rent, and I bring along a soft copy of the data processing form for them to sign.