Obtaining a reference from a previous landlord when signing a new tenant is an invaluable chance to understand the individual’s character and how they may maintain your property.
Whilst not all tenants will have rented a property before, if you have a previous landlord reference, you may be wondering what questions you should ask them.
In this article, we’ll share some of the key questions you should ask former landlords during your tenant reference checks.
How long did they live in the property?
Assessing the duration of a tenant’s previous residence can be an effective indicator of their potential long-term commitment to your property. If the stay was brief yet the tenant expresses a desire for a long-term lease, you could follow up to understand the circumstances that led to this change.
When asking this question to current landlords, you can also ask why the tenant is leaving. Your tenant ought to have provided their reasoning already, which will assist you in determining if there are any inconsistencies in their account.
How much was the rent to previous landlord?
Conducting a financial check is crucial part of tenant referencing to verify affordability.
It’s a good idea to ask how much rent the tenant was paying in their last rental. After a significant rent increase with no change in the tenant’s income, it’s prudent to further inquire into affordability.
Were payments made on time?
As well as rent payments, make sure you ask about whether utility bills were paid on time, too.
Always dig into the further details. Life happens, and sometimes tenants struggle with rent, but that doesn’t always make them a bad tenant. See what the former landlord has to say about the situation and decide from there.
How well did they look after the rental property?
It is always a good idea to ask how well a tenant looked after the property and what condition they left it in. Did they have an inventory and schedule of condition report?
Just remember that the answer to this question can be subjective. Some landlords are very strict, so always ask specifically what the issues were if any are raised.
Who was listed on the tenancy agreement?
This question is great to ask so you can keep the information in your back pocket for the future. Where tenants have lived together before, they may live together in the future.
By identifying the parties involved in the previous tenancy agreement, you can determine if there were any relational issues by simply requesting a reference check from the former landlord. A tenant may inquire about adding someone to the tenancy in the future, enabling you to make a more informed decision.
Get expert advice on previous landlord reference checks
At PIIM Property, we are your local property experts in Durham. Should you require a professional letting agent to assist in marketing your property and conducting tenant reference checks, our amiable team is at your service.
Give us a call today on 01207 772033 or browse our letting agent services at www.piim.co.uk
