Unaffordable tenants applying

have you noticed the amount of enquiries and applications we get from unaffordable prospective tenants have increased?

6 Likes

Maybe they think that because a landlord cannot stipulate no DSS, this is a green light.
There’s seems to be quite a few on here that think it’s merely a question of employment/unemployment rather than affordability.
Mrs.T.

4 Likes

I find the majority of applicants ignore affordability criteria, even when clearly stated in the property details. Hence why it is so irritating that OpenRent suspend your adverts after a certain number of applicants

Maybe it’s a scattergun approach, keep blasting away and finally someone will take you on

6 Likes

also openrent does not specify earning month or yearly, before or after tax. I have to double check again and and again with applicants. I had nearly 40 from openrent, around another 30 elsewhere of which 3 meeting affordability criteria so far. Now I see how tenants get away with quick easy applications with the automated applications with agents. My own story 5 yrs ago I rented a house in Wales with a quick 5 min application, uploading just 3 weekly payslips. I was temping with 1 week notice period. But I was in the job for 3 yrs after that.

3 Likes

Suppose they think they may as well have a pop. Nothing to lose since referencing fees went out of the window.

5 Likes

Yep, we have lost a good amount in money and wasted time with people who say they will pass the reference checks and then don’t. Barefaced lying both verbally and on pre- questionnaires.
When tenants paid for referencing I don’t expect this happened nearly as much.
I simply do not believe anybody about anything until I see it in black and white but I don’t know what the answer is

7 Likes

askthem thru openrent your questions . You have a record. Then upon interview ask the same questions again . Any difference, they are LIARS . Do not proceed

3 Likes

Steve I agree
so I have written a lengthy email to openrent. Openrent says to me they limit viewing requests to 100 and pause ad to prevent rogue landlords. I have challenged this because of the 30 plus requests only 1 barely meet the affordability criteria. They need to tighten up their automatic screening questions such as ask salary per month after tax and all deductions, it does not even say whether they need to put gross or net, monthly or annually.
I donot offer viewing unless I get to know how many adults, whether they r sharers etc. I am surprised that openrent says there are only a minority of landlords who are legit. Should I argue that majority of the tenants are rogues! such is the type of lies, some even don’t give out their names and yet ask for viewings! It goes on and on. Why not have a licensing criteria for tenants just like landlords have licensing?
I would rather have the house empty than repent later. Getting a legit tenant has become a insurmountable task!

8 Likes

Yes, Colin. Have done that. Then they fail referencing. Liars lie.

3 Likes

openrent team have taken on board my comments and suggestions and I expect to see some changes on their autoscreening questions.

4 Likes

It’s been a while since I needed to find new tenants. Has the system changed? I always used to advertise via Openrent, but then do all the sifting personally. After meeting prospective tenants I took a holding deposit while I took up references. I made it clear that if they’ve lied, they won’t get their deposit back. This is permitted under the tenant fees legislation. Even then I did have a couple who blatantly lied about CCJs, admitted it and then complained about me keeping the holding deposit.

4 Likes

I don’t think it helps that the adverts go on Gumtree .
I have also had this problem.

2 Likes

what do you not like about gumtree?

For me personally I don’t think it’s a very good site of getting tenants… it’s a cheap and cheerful site ( don’t get me wrong I love a bargin as we all do ) and I would never think nor would any of my friends and family nor any of my tenants go and look for a property to rent or buy on gumtree… it sells second hand unwanted stuff( one persons junk I know is another man’s treasure and I love recycling ) and that appears to be to me at least the demographics of the end user … cheap and cheerful … bargin hunters

1 Like

Ps when I used Urban in the past I had a better class of people enquiring than Open rent as they only advertised on right move and Zoolpa however sadly the owner of Urban sold the business on and their level of service was never the same again for me under the newly formed umbrella company

no doubt, rightmove is very good

I personally think Rightmove is professional as that is where people go to look to buy and rent a property .
Rightmove is a specific website for renting and buying property ( not selling someone’s unwanted tat ) and if Hamptons and Saviles etc and the like at the multi million pound end of the market ( not that I am ) use it then it’s good enough for me they certainly don’t advertise on Gumtree …

2 Likes

Correct not all aplicants are suitable you may have 200 aplicants doesnt mean you can find a suitable tenent.
I think tenents get there pals to register, in the hope to rent a flat
Landlord have to CID these days

2 Likes

yes CID but this is now driving me crazy, don’t have time for people who fool around

1 Like

such is life in all aspects of work there are fools

3 Likes