“The Critical Importance of Referencing”

Tenant Referencing

Can you imagine an ideal lettings world?  One where, once a tenant has been found, you, as landlord, can simply sit back and watch your investment deliver the anticipated return on investment?  One where no further involvement is needed?  Indeed, this is one of the reasons why some letting agents only offer a tenant finding service.  Simple really – or is it?  If you choose to manage your own property, do you carry out tenant referencing?  Our agency carries out referencing as standard practice.

Experience is a great teacher.  We have proven time and again that it is well worth fully referencing tenants before signing.  Referencing includes a thoroughly researched rental history.

Unreliable tenants cause landlords the most sleepless nights according to research by the National Landlords Association.   57% of NLA members say that unreliable tenants are one of the most worrying aspects of being a landlord.

Tenant Reliability

So what is a reliable tenant? Well obviously one who pays the rent, in full on time, and makes sure all the utility bills are also paid. But reliability goes beyond this. Will they turn out to be anti-social, perhaps making excessive noise, leading to complaints from neighbours? Good landlords are keen to make sure that their tenants behave as ‘good citizens’.

Damage to the premises, fixtures, fittings and contents, creates hassle for landlords as well as significant additional expense, especially when it goes beyond what is covered by the tenant’s deposit.

Approximately 36% of landlords nationally (source NLA) have, at some point in the past, been obliged to resort to the courts to seek possession of a property from a troublesome tenant.  We hasten to add that our own eviction rate is negligible!

Our job as letting agents is to ensure that the right tenant is secured in the first place.  The property (and tenant) are then managed.  Our aim is for landlords to enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their investment is delivering a return on investment, not a headache.

For details of our comprehensive (award winning) lettings services from Tenant Find to Full Tenancy & Property Management, call 01273 735237 or email enquiries@callaways.co.uk