It can be difficult to find a good tenant, a lot of landlords like to vet prospective tenants before signing a contract as the chaos left behind from a bad tenant can be financially devastating and mentally tough for a landlord who has poured heart, soul and finance into their property. So, what makes a good tenant? Keep an eye out for these qualities…
No Previous Evictions
Previous evictions should be a big red flag to any landlord when considering a new tenant. Evictions can cost a landlord thousands of pounds in lost rent and court fees. It’s important to ask any prospective tenants for the details of their previous tenancies and contact information for the landlord or agencies they rented from.
Stable Income, Employment or Source of Rent Income
Can your prospective tenant afford to rent your property without defaulting in future? Ensure that you ask questions about employment status when considering a tenant for your property. This doesn’t always mean your tenant will have been honest about this information or won’t default in the future but a quick phone call to the individuals employer to verify their employment status is a good start.
A Respectful Demeaner
How have your potential tenants interacted with you so far? Have they arrived on time for viewings and appointments? Have they filled in all documents completely? It is also possible to ask the tenant for a character reference or details of a respected guarantor who is willing to vouch for the individual. A respectful tenant pays their rent on time, communicates in a timely manner, respects your property and the neighbours and lets you know of any maintenance issues within the property.
We hope this guide has helped you recognise what a good tenant is and how to go about finding one for your rental property, as always, if you need any extra support as you buy, sell or rent your property, our experts are on hand for support.