...I find it hard to put into words just how much I appreciated your concern for my wellbeing and your willingness to fit me into your busy schedule, when I walked into your offices distressed and without an appointment!.......
Client thank you email to Lara Colgan of the Employment Department
Legal News Update
01 December 2011
Landlords must carry out checks on new tenants
UK landlords must carryout background checks on potential tenants before letting any of their properties, the National Landlords Association (NLA) has warned.
Landlords must carry out the checks to confirm a tenant’s identity, and ensure that there is no apparent reason why they could not keep up with the rent, according to the NLA.
The warning comes as a recent survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of landlords who experienced rent arrears during the first half of 2011. But, by conducting a basic check, landlords can discover if a prospective tenant has a County Court Judgement against their name, their address history, along with any problems with bankruptcy or insolvency.
“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,” said David Salusbury, NLA Chairman.
“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.”
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.