Landlord Guide How to Choose the Right Tenants
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So, you ve advertised your property and you re starting to get enquiries from potential tenants, but how do you convert those initial calls and emails into a successful let? 3
What to ask tenants on the phone Landlords who advertise with Upad usually receive plenty of tenant enquiries (35 on average). However don t feel you have to arrange a viewing for everyone who shows an interest. Before you show someone around, ask some questions to make sure the person and the property are a good fit. You could do this by email if you re more comfortable, but often you ll find out more about a person if you have a chat on the phone. There s no need to interrogate them (you don t want to scare anyone away) but you could just say something like, can you tell me a little about yourself? 4
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 Questions to ask include the following: When are they looking to move? Often people go window shopping for their next place months before they re ready to move, while others leave it until the last minute and so might need to move before your property is available. Why are they moving? If the tenant has nothing to hide they are more than likely to give you a specific reason for moving. If they re evasive, they may just not want to tell you their personal situation at this stage, or they may have something to hide. Best to judge based on their tone of voice. How long do they intend to stay? If you re looking for a long-term rental, there s no point meeting someone looking for a six-month stop gap. Do they know what you re offering? You d be surprised at how many viewers don t read the ads completely. Therefore, it s worth going over the essential facts such as the number of bedrooms, the location and the rent and deposit, plus what is (or isn t) included in the rent. Where do they work? lf you re looking for professional tenants, it s important to establish they do actually have a job. 5
Five Bulk viewings can save you a lot of time. Try to show up to five around at one time. Preparing to meet tenants When arranging to show people around your property, try to be as flexible as you can. If you limit viewings to working hours or to evenings and weekends only, you risk losing good tenants. Don t be afraid to do more than one viewing at a time. Sometimes it s good to let tenants see you ve got a lot of interest in a property. After all, we all want something more if someone else wants it too! However, make sure you keep a list of all viewings so you know who s expected when (people always like to be greeted by name). Make a few subtle notes about each viewer so you ll remember later which were the most suitable. During the viewing, be prepared to answer any questions about the property and the local area, including local transport, shops, schools and nightlife.
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 The sort of questions you might be asked include: Where is the nearest train station/supermarket/bank? Which buses stop nearby? How long does it take to travel into town? How much are the energy bills? If these are relatively low, have a recent bill to hand as proof. How much is the council tax? What are the local schools like? If you re appealing to families, it s worth looking up Ofsted reports on the nearest schools and finding out if your place is within the catchment area. What are the parking restrictions and how do you apply for any necessary permits? What s the local area like? Obviously you re going to tell them it s awesome, but having some concrete evidence of its desirability is even better the property listings site Zoopla has useful information on each postcode you can pinch. 7
What to ask at the viewing Don t forget to stress all your property s USPs, which viewers might not clock, such as double-glazing, proximity to public transport, a south-facing terrace or garden and friendly neighbours. Hand each viewer a sheet with printed details about your property, including your contact number and email. This will help to jog their memory later - after the dozens of properties they might have seen that day - which they liked the best. However, the viewing process is also an opportunity for you to suss out prospective tenants and make sure they re the sort of person you want to live in your property. It s a chance for you to ask the tenant more about themselves and to make sure they ll be a good renter. There s no need to stage an inquisition, just chat casually while walking them through the property. 8
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 Things to ask include: Are they looking at the property only for themselves or will they be sharing? You need to know exactly who and how man will be living there. Where do they work and how long they ve worked there? Generally speaking, the longer the better. Are they on a permanent or temporary contract? Ideally their contract should last at least until theend of their tenancy. Will they be able to supply references from their employer and a previous landlord? Visit the Upad Landlord Hub for more tips: www.upad.co.uk/hub 9
75 Upad can arrange tenant referencing payable by the tenant Choosing your tenant You can usually tell from someone s body language if they like the property. If they ask lots of questions and stay more than five minutes, they re probably quite keen. It s worth following up the next day with a quick phone call or an email, to see if they re interested and if they d like a second look. Now you might receive an offer from a viewer you didn t warm too. Don t feel you have to accept. Go with your gut instinct and if you don t feel comfortable letting to someone, you can always tell them you ve had another offer. When you ve selected your ideal tenant, it s best to reference them to make sure they re as good as you think they are. Upad can do this at no extra cost to you (the tenant pays 75)*. We ll verify their job and salary to ensure they can afford the rent, as well as securing references from their employer and previous landlord. *Upad Tenant Referencing includes: A credit check Previous landlord references Employer references An affordability check 10
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 What happens next? Once you ve choosen your tenants and had them referenced Upad can help get your tenancy up and running. Tenant Sign Up Service Upad can also sort out all the paperwork, including writing a castiron tenancy agreement, registering the deposit and setting up the standing order for the rental. This ensures a smooth and stressfree start to your tenancy. Just ask for our Tenant Sign-up Service, which costs 189 (inc VAT). Rent Protection Even the best credit checks and references cannot predict a tenant falling on hard times and not being able to pay their rent. Our Rent Protection and Legal Expenses Insurance will protect you from defaulting tenants, by ensuring that rental payments are made direct to you in full. Only 159. Inventories An accurate and detailed inventory is an essential part of the tenancy. Upad offer a range of great value, specialised inventory services nationally. From 120. 11
Upad is a one-stop shop for all of your letting needs To speak to one of our Account Managers call us on 0333 240 1220. Services UPay On Success Fully Managed Letting 149 0 599 Inc VAT up-front Inc VAT Fixed fee up-front 449 Inc VAT On success Plus 72 per month UChoose Property advertising on Rightmove, Zoopla & PrimeLocation NEW Tenancy Compliance Service NEW Landlord Club Personal ARLA-qualified Account Manager Comprehensive tenant referencing Tenant Sign Up Service Professional photos and Rightmove Premium Listing Floor Plans 12 *Terms apply Property management
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 Additional products Photography 99 A professional set of 8 photographs of ( 85.50 + VAT) your property for you to keep. Floorplan 99 A professionally-produced floorplan of ( 85.50 + VAT) your property. Gas Safety Certificate 99 A legal requirement for rental properties ( 85.50 + VAT) with gas supplied. Tenant Sign-Up Service 189 We handle all of the paperwork to start ( 157.50 + VAT) your tenancy. EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) 99 Essential legal document. ( 82.50 + VAT) Rightmove Featured Listing Credit 150 Featured Listings have bigger photos, ( 125 + VAT) a coloured box. 13
ARLA-qualified Account Managers We provide you with all the help and advice you need. We provide a personal service to every Landlord. Whether it s your very first time or you re a seasoned professional, your ARLA-qualified Account Manager will find out exactly what you need.
upad.co.uk 0333 240 1220 Should you use Upad? Are you willing to conduct your own viewings? Would you like a personal, ARLA-qualified Account Manager? Do you think tenants prefer to meet the Landlord rather than an agent? Could you do with saving a large sum of money? Do you think you care more about your property than the letting agent? Do you like the idea of only paying for the services you actually need? Would you prefer your tenants didn t pay hundreds of pounds in admin fees? Is the idea of being in control of the tenant find process appealing? Do you trust the decision of over 15,000 UK s landlords to change? 15
16 E: help@upad.co.uk T: 0333 240 1220