FINDING A TENANT

ATTRACTING the right tenant can mean the difference between a stress-free experience and a constant headache. The ideal tenant will pay the rent on time each month, abide by the terms of the tenancy agreement, and co- operate if the property needs repairs.

Landlords should thoroughly check out potential tenants before committing to a tenancy. This means carryi ng out a credit check, seeing payslips or bank statements to assess affordability, and getting references from previous landlords.

The Immigration Act 2014 puts the onus on landlords to check a tenant has the legal ‘right to rent’ in England. Landlords can be fined up to £3,000, or even be sent to prison for up to five years, if they let a property to illegal immigrants.

Landlords in England must ask to see a tenant’s original documents. This might be a residence permit, a UK immigration status document or an endorsed passport.

These rules do not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern I r el and.