HOW TO FIND GOOD TENANTS & KEEP THEM: LANDLORD TIPS
Alexandra Ventress
October 5th, 2023
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As a landlord, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to finding good tenants for your rental properties and retaining them. With so many aspects to consider when looking for renters, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start.
If you are wondering how to find good tenants and keep them then read on, as we cover what makes a good tenant, how to check them, and how we can help.
Anyone can be a good tenant. There are lots of qualities to be looking out for when you are letting out your property, but as a rule of thumb, a good tenant will:
- pay their rent on time
- understand their lease and obligations
- look after the property and keep it in a good condition
- report any issues in a prompt and timely manner
- provide access to the property when asked
- be easy to communicate with
You can find out who is a good tenant by checking references and performing standard landlord checks when you are screening potential tenants.
The type of tenants that landlords want the most are the ones who are able to pay their rent in full and on time. However, there are other factors at play when looking at what makes a good tenant:
- Good references – A tenant with good references will almost always be picked over a tenant with poor references.
- Strong rental history – a good history of paying rent on time and in full makes or an attractive rental prospect
- Stable income – A constant and verifiable income stream is important to those looking to let their properties out. It shows an ability to keep providing sn income and makes for a reliable renter.
- Respectful – Tenants who are respectful of the property and treat it as their own are in high demand
If you are wondering how to find private renters, knowing what to look for is a great start. However, where you decide to go from there is up to you. There are steps you can take to make sure that you are only attracting the best tenants to your property and setting up your investment to be the best it can be.
If you are wondering how to find good tenants, check out our top tips below:
1. Advertisement
One of the first things you should do is ensure you are marketing your property properly. By ensuring that your rental property reaches as many renters as possible, you increase your chances of finding quality tenants. It is important to utilise the tools at your disposal such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or even social media.
2. References
When screening your prospective tenants, it is a good idea to check two separate references and perform the necessary checks to ensure that they are who they say they are, and that they are able to pay rent on time.
3. Maintain your property
Making sure your property is in good condition is a great way to ensure that you are attracting the best renters. It is important to keep your property in a great condition in order to attract as many potential renters as possible. You should also think about the spaces you have in the property and how you can best utilise them. With more and more people undertaking working from home, instead of an additional bedroom, you may want to turn one of the rooms into an office space.
4. Be proactive
Another good way to find a tenant is to meet any prospective renters. By meeting them in person and talking to them about the property, you will be able to get a better idea of how they will fit in with the property and whether they are right for you.
As well as asking questions about the property, you should be asking your prospective tenants about themselves to get a better sense of who they are. Consider asking them:
- Why they are moving to the area
- Their experiences with renting
- What they do for a living and how long they’ve been working there
- What their plans are for the future
Once you have found your great tenants, you will ideally want to keep them. Having steady, long-term renters in your tenanted property will mean that you have a source of income that you can rely on.
Here are some of our top tips for retaining great tenants:
1. Communication
One of the best tips for retaining tenants is to keep communication open. Communication is the key to any good relationship and tenant and landlord relationships are no different. Be sure your tenants know who to contact in the case of an emergency and be sure to keep them in the loop about any ongoing maintenance issues and repairs.
In the case of repairs, it is also wise to be courteous to your tenants by booking tradespeople to fix any issues whilst they are at work rather than on a weekend when they are trying to relax.
2. Be open and fair
First impressions matter, so it is vital to open a clear with your tenants from day one. Be sure to have a clear tenancy agreement which lays out exactly what is expected of your tenants and if they have any questions be sure to go over it with them. Being flexible and approachable will help you to establish a good working relationship and will make tenants more likely to stay.
3. Be swift
Part and parcel of owning rental properties is that maintenance issues will crop up. However, how quickly you decide to deal with the issue is what will matter to your tenant.
When issues crop up, be sure to deal with them quickly and efficiently and keep your renters in the loop. By fixing these problems in good time, you r renters are more likely to wish to stay on for longer term.
Another plus is by keeping the property regularly maintained, you will have to spend less money getting it back up to standard when the time comes for new renters to move in.
4. Tailor your property to your renter’s needs
Times change and as a result so do the needs of your renters. By providing your tenants with the amenities that they require helps to ensure that they will stay in your property longer.
In order to appeal to modern renters, amenities you can include are:
- bike storage
- home office space
- high-speed internet
5. Ask your tenants to stay
If you are content with your renters then you should reach out and ask them if they are interested in renewing. Don’t wait until the very end of the fixed term, ask a few months before and tell them they’ve been great tenants and you’d like them to stay.
By touching base about possible renewal you may be able to get them to agree to a longer contract or if they don’t wish to stay you will have a few months to find new tenants to replace them.
As a landlord, you have several duties and checks that you will need to carry out in order to check that you can legally rent out your property to a tenant, but also to make sure that it is a smart financial decision to do so. These are some of the checks that you may want to consider doing when screening prospective tenants:
Right to rent
One of the most important checks you will need to undertake on tenants is a right-to-rent check. This is where you check the immigration status of any adult occupiers before they rent out your property. Your tenant can provide you with either their passport or residence document to pass. If your tenant is not a British or Irish citizen, then their passport or document must confirm their permission to be in the UK. This check must be done on any potential new tenant and failure to do so can result in a £3,000 fine.
References
When looking for good tenants, it is important to ask for references. A reference will give you an idea of what to expect from your tenant and will help you when deciding who to let your property to. Your tenants can get their references from either:
- a current or previous landlord
- their employer
Credit checks
You may only run a credit check on a potential renter with their permission. This check is performed to check the identity of your tenant and it will not affect the tenant’s credit score. The only information you will be able to find out about your potential tenant will be what is already publically available, such as if they have CCJs, an IVA or bankruptcy.
Income checks
As a landlord, you may also want to perform an income check in order to be sure that your prospective tenant is able to make rent payments. In order to do this, you may ask to see:
- Recent bank statements or payslips
- Proof of benefit entitlement
- Employment contract or letter from your employment
A letting agent or a landlord may not refuse to rent because the tenant is on benefits.
Proof of address
In order to check a tenant’s current and previous addresses, you can accept any of the following documents:
- Council tax bill (issued for the current year)
- UK driving license
- Previous tenancy agreement
- Recent utility bill
- Recent bank, credit card, or building society statement
Proof of ID
One of the best ways to ensure a tenant is who they claim to be is by checking photo ID. You can do this by asking for either a driver’s license or a passport. A driver’s license is ideal as it will allow you to check their address at the same time.
Can I charge for checks?
As a landlord in England, you will be able to charge for reference checks due to the Tenant Fees Bill 2019. You must cover the fee, even if the tenant fails the checks. The same goes for landlords in Scotland and Wales. However, in Northern Ireland, you can charge as long as you are not the one profiting from it.
A good tenant reference will include the tenant’s name and the dates of their last tenancy. They will typically be one paragraph, simply stating that the tenant was good, paid their rent on time, and left the property in good condition.
A red flag can be if a reference is too positive. If a reference seems too over the top this can be viewed as another landlord trying to get rid of a bad tenant.
Yes, they can. However, if a landlord decides to give a bad reference, it must be based on evidence that is able to be backed up. That means they cannot give one based on personal dislikes.
It is not illegal for a landlord to refuse to write a reference, good or bad. However, the majority of landlords will usually write a reference as they will understand firsthand how useful they can be.
Should a landlord decide to give a bad reference for their tenants, it will need to be verifiable. A landlord may decide to write a bad reference due to:
- There is documented damage to the property
- The tenant reduced their rent
- The tenant missed rental payments
- The tenant was arrested for criminal activity whilst living in the property
Start your property portfolio today!
As a landlord, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to finding good tenants for your rental properties and retaining them. With so many aspects to consider when looking for renters, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start.
If you are wondering how to find good tenants and keep them then read on, as we cover what makes a good tenant, how to check them, and how we can help.
Anyone can be a good tenant. There are lots of qualities to be looking out for when you are letting out your property, but as a rule of thumb, a good tenant will:
- pay their rent on time
- understand their lease and obligations
- look after the property and keep it in a good condition
- report any issues in a prompt and timely manner
- provide access to the property when asked
- be easy to communicate with
You can find out who is a good tenant by checking references and performing standard landlord checks when you are screening potential tenants.
The type of tenants that landlords want the most are the ones who are able to pay their rent in full and on time. However, there are other factors at play when looking at what makes a good tenant:
- Good references – A tenant with good references will almost always be picked over a tenant with poor references.
- Strong rental history – a good history of paying rent on time and in full makes or an attractive rental prospect
- Stable income – A constant and verifiable income stream is important to those looking to let their properties out. It shows an ability to keep providing sn income and makes for a reliable renter.
- Respectful – Tenants who are respectful of the property and treat it as their own are in high demand
If you are wondering how to find private renters, knowing what to look for is a great start. However, where you decide to go from there is up to you. There are steps you can take to make sure that you are only attracting the best tenants to your property and setting up your investment to be the best it can be.
If you are wondering how to find good tenants, check out our top tips below:
1. Advertisement
One of the first things you should do is ensure you are marketing your property properly. By ensuring that your rental property reaches as many renters as possible, you increase your chances of finding quality tenants. It is important to utilise the tools at your disposal such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or even social media.
2. References
When screening your prospective tenants, it is a good idea to check two separate references and perform the necessary checks to ensure that they are who they say they are, and that they are able to pay rent on time.
3. Maintain your property
Making sure your property is in good condition is a great way to ensure that you are attracting the best renters. It is important to keep your property in a great condition in order to attract as many potential renters as possible. You should also think about the spaces you have in the property and how you can best utilise them. With more and more people undertaking working from home, instead of an additional bedroom, you may want to turn one of the rooms into an office space.
4. Be proactive
Another good way to find a tenant is to meet any prospective renters. By meeting them in person and talking to them about the property, you will be able to get a better idea of how they will fit in with the property and whether they are right for you.
As well as asking questions about the property, you should be asking your prospective tenants about themselves to get a better sense of who they are. Consider asking them:
- Why they are moving to the area
- Their experiences with renting
- What they do for a living and how long they’ve been working there
- What their plans are for the future
Once you have found your great tenants, you will ideally want to keep them. Having steady, long-term renters in your tenanted property will mean that you have a source of income that you can rely on.
Here are some of our top tips for retaining great tenants:
1. Communication
One of the best tips for retaining tenants is to keep communication open. Communication is the key to any good relationship and tenant and landlord relationships are no different. Be sure your tenants know who to contact in the case of an emergency and be sure to keep them in the loop about any ongoing maintenance issues and repairs.
In the case of repairs, it is also wise to be courteous to your tenants by booking tradespeople to fix any issues whilst they are at work rather than on a weekend when they are trying to relax.
2. Be open and fair
First impressions matter, so it is vital to open a clear with your tenants from day one. Be sure to have a clear tenancy agreement which lays out exactly what is expected of your tenants and if they have any questions be sure to go over it with them. Being flexible and approachable will help you to establish a good working relationship and will make tenants more likely to stay.
3. Be swift
Part and parcel of owning rental properties is that maintenance issues will crop up. However, how quickly you decide to deal with the issue is what will matter to your tenant.
When issues crop up, be sure to deal with them quickly and efficiently and keep your renters in the loop. By fixing these problems in good time, you r renters are more likely to wish to stay on for longer term.
Another plus is by keeping the property regularly maintained, you will have to spend less money getting it back up to standard when the time comes for new renters to move in.
4. Tailor your property to your renter’s needs
Times change and as a result so do the needs of your renters. By providing your tenants with the amenities that they require helps to ensure that they will stay in your property longer.
In order to appeal to modern renters, amenities you can include are:
- bike storage
- home office space
- high-speed internet
5. Ask your tenants to stay
If you are content with your renters then you should reach out and ask them if they are interested in renewing. Don’t wait until the very end of the fixed term, ask a few months before and tell them they’ve been great tenants and you’d like them to stay.
By touching base about possible renewal you may be able to get them to agree to a longer contract or if they don’t wish to stay you will have a few months to find new tenants to replace them.
As a landlord, you have several duties and checks that you will need to carry out in order to check that you can legally rent out your property to a tenant, but also to make sure that it is a smart financial decision to do so. These are some of the checks that you may want to consider doing when screening prospective tenants:
Right to rent
One of the most important checks you will need to undertake on tenants is a right-to-rent check. This is where you check the immigration status of any adult occupiers before they rent out your property. Your tenant can provide you with either their passport or residence document to pass. If your tenant is not a British or Irish citizen, then their passport or document must confirm their permission to be in the UK. This check must be done on any potential new tenant and failure to do so can result in a £3,000 fine.
References
When looking for good tenants, it is important to ask for references. A reference will give you an idea of what to expect from your tenant and will help you when deciding who to let your property to. Your tenants can get their references from either:
- a current or previous landlord
- their employer
Credit checks
You may only run a credit check on a potential renter with their permission. This check is performed to check the identity of your tenant and it will not affect the tenant’s credit score. The only information you will be able to find out about your potential tenant will be what is already publically available, such as if they have CCJs, an IVA or bankruptcy.
Income checks
As a landlord, you may also want to perform an income check in order to be sure that your prospective tenant is able to make rent payments. In order to do this, you may ask to see:
- Recent bank statements or payslips
- Proof of benefit entitlement
- Employment contract or letter from your employment
A letting agent or a landlord may not refuse to rent because the tenant is on benefits.
Proof of address
In order to check a tenant’s current and previous addresses, you can accept any of the following documents:
- Council tax bill (issued for the current year)
- UK driving license
- Previous tenancy agreement
- Recent utility bill
- Recent bank, credit card, or building society statement
Proof of ID
One of the best ways to ensure a tenant is who they claim to be is by checking photo ID. You can do this by asking for either a driver’s license or a passport. A driver’s license is ideal as it will allow you to check their address at the same time.
Can I charge for checks?
As a landlord in England, you will be able to charge for reference checks due to the Tenant Fees Bill 2019. You must cover the fee, even if the tenant fails the checks. The same goes for landlords in Scotland and Wales. However, in Northern Ireland, you can charge as long as you are not the one profiting from it.
A good tenant reference will include the tenant’s name and the dates of their last tenancy. They will typically be one paragraph, simply stating that the tenant was good, paid their rent on time, and left the property in good condition.
A red flag can be if a reference is too positive. If a reference seems too over the top this can be viewed as another landlord trying to get rid of a bad tenant.
Yes, they can. However, if a landlord decides to give a bad reference, it must be based on evidence that is able to be backed up. That means they cannot give one based on personal dislikes.
It is not illegal for a landlord to refuse to write a reference, good or bad. However, the majority of landlords will usually write a reference as they will understand firsthand how useful they can be.
Should a landlord decide to give a bad reference for their tenants, it will need to be verifiable. A landlord may decide to write a bad reference due to:
- There is documented damage to the property
- The tenant reduced their rent
- The tenant missed rental payments
- The tenant was arrested for criminal activity whilst living in the property
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