If only tenants from hell came with horns and a tail, life would be much easier for landlords.
Unfortunately, however, for many landlords it often is extremely difficult to distinguish between model residents and troublemakers when choosing prospective tenants for your property.
The best way to avoid ending up with a nightmare tenant living in your property is to check them out thoroughly before they set foot inside the door. Once they are in, things are much tougher.
Who are you?
First, it is essential to get and check the personal information the prospective tenant provides.
Make sure they are who they say they are. You are more likely to get a con artist or identity thief than an axe murderer.
Ask for references and check them carefully. If someone has nothing to hide, they should be open and relaxed with your questions.
Landlords may also find help from a service called Tenant Verifier which has been developed by credit information group Experian.
For a small fee, it delivers a financial check, a previous landlord's reference and an employer's reference within 48 hours of applying.
Landlords and agents must first get the tenant's consent to carry out the check, but if they refuse, you can be fairly sure they have something to hide and are well advised to move on to someone else.
Take action
If the worst happens and you are stuck with a tenant who is causing problems and refusing to leave, then it's time to get help.
Described by the London Evening Standard as “a blessing for landlords,” the company Landlord Action provides a three-step service for dealing with problem tenants.
First comes a legal notice. This is usually sufficient but if it fails, then legal action and a court hearing follow.
The final step calls on the court bailiffs to carry out an eviction. Only about 60% of cases go beyond step one, but even if all three are taken, it is still usually cheaper than paying a solicitor.
Next article in this section: The tenant’s view - what makes a good landlord?
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