Tenant Checks are not an optional extra

The National Landlords Association (NLA) is reminding landlords to carry out background checks on potential tenants before letting their properties.

The NLA advises all landlords to carry out checks to confirm a tenant’s identity, and ensure that there is no apparent reason why they could not keep up with the rent.

A recent survey by the NLA revealed that nearly three-quarters of landlords* who sought possession of their property experienced rent arrears.

Through the necessary searches, NLA Tenant Check found that approximately one in twenty tenants processed had one or more County Court Judgments (CCJ) against them at an undisclosed previous address during the first half of 2011.

A basic check with NLA Tenant Check will include a County Court Judgement search, address history, an ID check and alias name search, along with a bankruptcy or insolvency inquiry. A full tenant check will include references from their employer and previous landlord, bank account details and an assessment of a tenant’s ability to pay the rent.

NLA Tenant Check reported a record number of checks during August, including the highest number of full tenant checks in any one month, indicating that landlords are becoming increasingly conscious of who they let their properties to.

David Salusbury, Chairman, NLA, said:

“Getting a proper background check done on all tenants before they move into a property is one of the most important things a landlord can do before handing over the keys.

“It is vital landlords find out basic information about their prospective tenant to help avoid rent arrears or other problems further down the track. This gives the landlord peace of mind that their properties are in good hands and will hopefully mark the start of a satisfactory and hassle-free tenancy.”

For more information on tenant checks, download Spotlight, the NLA’s Guide for Landlords at www.landlords.org.uk/spotlight