Although they do not form part of the PRS, propertyguardians and owners and residents of park homes sites can find a guide to further information on their situation in this section. Before your local authority can publish the details of a rogue landlord or agent on the database, they must notify the landlord or agent and allow 28 days for an appeal to be lodged. Which? For more information on how to evict your tenant appropriately and legally, please see the following guidance: Evicting tenants (England and Wales). Read the tenancy agreement carefully and ask questions about anything that isnt clear. Ensure you comply with the relevant HMO management regulations. Its important to make sure that you have a clear idea of what a prospective tenant wants and needs from the tenancy. Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice is the main legal charity in the UK. Ensuring you comply with ever changing regulations, including gas, electricity and furnishing safety. The relationship between landlord and tenant is essential to make this work, however. With that in mind, weve put together a list of the ten rental questions to ask tenants and explained how theyll help you to find better, more reliable renters with Chancellors. If you are a landlord choosing to deal privately with a tenant, you enter into a contract with legal requirements and possible penalties for non-compliance, which can entail fines or even imprisonment. Conduct the right to rent immigration check. The tenant is required to look after the property to a certain standard, and: You can act against your tenants for anti-social behaviour if they are not considerate to their neighbours. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. The second provides landlords with information on how to maintain high standards and create positive relationships with tenants. Can you verify the tenant's previous apartment address? Failure to pay your bills may affect your credit rating. Its fair to say that if a prospective tenant has broken a rental agreement in the past, you should have cause for concern. Landlords and agents can only run a credit check with your permission. For many tenants it can provide a range of benefits, including flexibility and choice, while offering a sound business opportunity to those landlords who maintain their properties to a high standard. Examples of category 1 hazards include: Health and safety risks in the home are assessed by local councils using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This section is for people who are either existing tenants or are about to rent a house or flat on an assured shorthold tenancy. First and foremost, verify whether the reference is actually the previous tenant's landlord. If you believe you have been or are threatened with being evicted illegally, you should contact your local authority. You have accepted additional cookies. Sometimes, that date is later than expected and can put off the tenant's plans. See licensing section. You need to know they can afford the rent and that they will look after . Here are some of the most important: These questions for potential tenants will provide a solid base of understanding which you can use to decide who to let your property to. Not only will it give you peace of mind knowing the checks have been carried out thoroughly, youll also save money by avoiding additional fees from a reference check company. Using a professional and reputable tenant referencing company can save you valuable time. Are you [the tenants at the viewing] planning to move in with anyone else who isnt here today? Tenant background checks will help shed light on your tenant's renting history, financial records and inform you of any criminal convictions they might have. The landlord or agent usually provides one, but you can ask them to consider using a different version instead. The third provides information on park homes sites and propertyguardians. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, How landlords and letting agents check tenants, Landlords and agents cannot charge for credit checks. They should reply within 2 working days. It is your responsibility as the tenant to ensure that the fire alarm remains in working order. Charity number: 263710 (England and Wales), SC002327 (Scotland). What are landlords allowed to ask? Lawyers weigh in | CBC News A history of missed payments, previous IVAs or payments to debt collection agencies can all be potential causes for concern. If youd prefer to enjoy the benefits of being a landlord without the hassle, why not take advantage of Chancellors Property Management service? Will you be able to provide a UK-based guarantor in the (likely) event that you fail tenant referencing? The credit check will not tell landlords if you have missed rent payments in the past but some landlords might check through landlord websites or social media. Do you agree to acquire my written permission before getting any new pets? Not got an account? If youve reported a potential health and safety hazard and your landlord or letting agent hasnt resolved it in a reasonable time, you should contact your local council. You will generally find a Citizens Advice office in most cities, towns and large villages. Posts: 25316. If the tenant has met the terms of their tenancy agreement, then they should get all of their deposit back at the end of their tenancy. Forcomprehensive information on licensing, pleaseread the following guidance: Houses in multiple occupation and residential property licensing reform: guidance for local housingauthorities. HMOs dont need to be licensed if they are managed or owned by a housing association or co-operative, a council, a health service or a police or fire authority. Landlord references. Law Centres Network: Not-for-profit Law Centres can act for you in legal proceedings at no charge. Again, there isnt necessarily a right answer here. Its therefore good practice to report any issues promptly and in writing. 17 Questions to Ask Former Landlords During Referencing The Tenant Fees Act, coming into force on 1 June 2019, means that all fees charged by letting agents and landlords to tenants are banned, except for holding deposits, rent, deposits and charges for defaulting on the contract. 4 Was the unit clean and in good order when they left? Can I ask a potential landlord for references? - Any-Answers Top tip:Check the landlord providing the reference is the same person who owns the property by looking at the Land Registry online. Provide a copy of the How to rent guide, Energy Performance Certificate and gas safety certificate where gas is supplied. While tenants have specific rights, they also haveresponsibilities. Its really important that you report any repair issues that arise so your landlord or letting agent can take action to fix them. You should be aware that some documents may need to be cross-checked with the Home Office. If youre doing the reference checks yourself, you may still encounter some costs along the way. Privately rented properties must have a minimum EPC rating of E for new lets and renewal tenancies (unless exempt). Your local council has a duty to take action if your property has deficiencies that could pose a serious threat to you and the other occupants. The landlord or letting agent should give at least 24 hours notice of any visits for activities such as repairs. Conclusion. If you dont know what answers youre looking for from prospective tenants, it becomes much harder to establish what questions you should be asking. Top Questions to Ask Prospective Tenants - PropertyLoop Copyright Chancellors 2023 The Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd, The difference between a Market Appraisal and a Valuation, Finding suitable tenants (cited by 56% of respondents), Monthly income at least 5 times higher than the rent youre charging, Steady history of employment, without regular upheaval, Complimentary references from previous landlords and current employer. From 1 April 2018 all properties let on a new tenancy must have an EPC of at least Band E. From 1 April 2020 this applies to all tenancies. In Northern IrelandYes, as long as you dont profit from it. Money Advice Service: This can provides free and impartial advice to help you manage your finances better. AXA Insurance UK no longer provides travel insurance for new customers. A driving licence is ideal because you can then confirm their address at the same time. This advice applies to England. 14 Reference Questions to Ask a Tenant's Previous Landlord As of 1 June 2019, letting agents can no longer charge fees totenants. These questions will help you determine if the students are right for your property. Did [tenant] reasonably take care of the rental property? issue a civil penalty of up to 30,000, depending on the specific circumstances. In our guidance, weve highlighted the potential consequences that landlords might face if they commit specific offences: If landlords or property agents have been convicted of a sufficiently serious offence, local authorities have powers to apply for banning orders which will ban them from letting housing in England and engaging in letting agency work and/or property management work. How to Verify Tenant Income and Employment | Avail If something is not working, report it to your landlord or agent as soon as you can. AXA Business Insurance is designed to keep your business running, whatever lies ahead. In addition to these basic and universal questions, landlords will need to ask further questions based on whether the tenants plan to keep pets, are students, or are unlikely to pass referencing due to their earnings. Every landlord dreams of a trouble-free tenancy. Unless it is an expressly allowed for in the tenancy agreement, the tenants will not be permitted to sublet or take in a lodger without your consent. You must give proper notice if you want the tenant to leave. Why are you moving? However, be sure to dig down into the reasons theyve moved around so much. This check should include the tenant and any adult who will be living with them. Landlords can learn a lot from a previous tenant's records on paying rent, and get a good idea from the previous landlord about how common such incidents actually were. just curious because i have been trying to move for a few months now and my current landlord has been lying to people. Some landlords like to be more hands-on with their approach to get a feel for what the applicants are like. Although property guardians and those living on a park home site do not form part of the PRS, wehave included relevant information in section 3. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Enforcement should only be targeted only at those landlords who are non-compliant or acting illegally. Your tenancy agreement should make it clear who is responsible for paying bills such as council tax, gas, electricity and water. Your landlord or letting agent must provide you with a copy of the How to rent guide, a gas certificate (if there is gas supplied), prescribed information about your deposit and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). However, in some cases issues arise. While most landlords in Ontario are not able to evict you for owning a pet, they are allowed to reject your rental application for owning a pet. Landlords and agents cannot charge for credit checks or other referencing checks. However, in the case of the small minority of landlords who might commit one of these offences, tenants can seek assistance from the local authority to act against their landlord. Find out more by reading our Guide to Landlords. With effect from 1 October 2018, mandatory licensing of HMOs was extended to include smaller properties used as HMOs in England which house 5 or more people in 2 or more separate households. Your local council may be able to help and provide some advice. The council can also take emergency remedial action if it thinks you are at serious risk of harm. The landlord must give the tenant a section 21notice if they want the property back after a fixed term ends. Do you plan to move out permanently over the summer? Information on the following areas is included in this section for landlords: As a landlord, you may need to obtain a licence to let your property under one of 3 types of licensing: If your property falls under any of these 3 types of licensing arrangement, you are legally required obtain the relevant licence. If the applicant is using a guarantor instead, you can still check the Land Registry to confirm the validity of the reference. #3. They must also check your immigration status. You have to give notice in the correct way - if you don't, you might have to pay rent even after you've moved out. This guide will help you to understand what questions to ask, what your rights are, and what responsibilities you have. If you fall behind with your rent, the landlord may be able to take legal steps to evict you. Get access to the latest Landlord News & Updates. A landlord can serve a section 8 notice if the tenant has broken the terms of the tenancy agreement within the fixed term. You should also contact your local authority. With the help of a range of trusted specialists, we work to ensure your property is maintained to the highest standard and that the tenancy is successful for both you and the tenant. And chances are those concerns revolve around one thing your tenants. To maintain standards in the private rented sector, its important that both landlords and tenants understand and fulfil their respective rights and responsibilities. Organising and carrying out any necessary refurbishments during or between tenancies. A property can be rented directly from a landlord, or indirectly through a letting agency. If you fail an income, credit or reference check, you could: A guarantor is usually a relative or friend who agrees to pay the rent or cover damage to the property if you do not pay it. Make sure that you understand how to operate the boiler and other appliances, and that you know where the stopcock, fuse box and any meters are located. With one less thing to worry about, you focus on what really matter to you. If you dont, your tenant can ask thelocal authority to carry out an inspection, afterwhich the authority may take action. This article tells you everything you should be thinking about when you meet a prospective tenant for the first time at your viewing. We pay out 99.8% of car insurance claims (Data relates to personal car insurance claims for policies underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc from January to December 2022). This will help you avoid a whole raft of nasty problems down the line. What Can and Can't a Landlord Ask You in Ontario? Right to rent certification Every landlord in England must conduct right to rent checks to ensure tenants can legally live in the UK.