NLA announces new tenant scam

Whilst perusing the internet for the latest tenant referencing news –as you do, i came across the National association of landlords website warning of a new scam!!!

Apparently, this new scam consists of a tenant being asked by the NLA to send large amounts of money to secure rental properties in the UK (however, the NLA have nothing to do with this- hence the scam).

It goes on to reveal that this scam also uses fake NLA tenant check stationary in order to get very sensitive data from the poor tenants.

The NLA are making it very clear that this is a SCAM.

As a tenant, be weary of who you give your information to.  In order for a landlord or letting agent to run a credit check on you, they must first inform you and get your signature in return of this agreement.  Check yourself that your landlord or letting agent are using reputable tenant referencing website as well.

Get a landlord reference to protect yourself from the unknown

If you are considering renting your property to a new tenant, you don’t know them, they are not recommended or a friend of a friend who knows a friend, or even if this tenant is all of the above- you must get a landlord reference.

I know you are busy, rushing around, doing all sorts with no hours left in the day, which is why getting a landlord reference we be one the easiest things you do all day (sighs with relief).

Sit down, get a cup of tea and log on to a tenant referencing provider that allows you to conduct free landlord references and you’re on your way to an easy life, with good tenants!! Sounds good doesn’t it!!

Now,  If you have never performed a previous landlord reference before then no need to panic because it’s dead easy.  All you need from your tenant is there previous landlord’s name and email address.  As many services have to cater for those who have not joined the online world and do not have such things as email address you are best to find a provider which allows you to phone the landlord and fill in the easy form yourself and save it online in your secure account ( these are free to join up to).

The landlord referencing form which is emailed to the landlord to fill out online covers questions such as did the tenant pay you on time, did they keep the place in a good condition, would you recommend this tenant to the next landlord, there is even a box for the landlord to add in any extra information that they wish to divulge.  Most tenan’t are good, and good references are obtained.  But, just on the off chance that you have picked up a bad apple, best to check and make sure you want to accept them into your property.

I wonder where this tenant lives now!

I wonder where this tenant lives now!!

A landlord got a shock recently when he realised what his ‘tenants from hell’ had done to his property.  The property in Briton Ferry was left in a state after a family moved out leaving piles of rubbish and bin bags throughout the property.  The landlord’s son was reportedly shocked that a child had been living there.

The property had been trashed throughout with around 500 rubbish bags left lying around, along with flies.  The landlord had not been able to access the property while the family had been staying there.

In the end the family had just left, leaving no contact number with the landlord footing the bill to clean up the mess.

Now, tenant referencing is one thing, but regular property checks have to be another.  The next door neighbour had reported the family to the council the year before!!! Make friends with the neighbours of the property so you can be warned if there is problem!!  Make regular checks on the property to make sure that it is kept in a good state, most tenants won’t mind this, if they are good tenants. If a tenant resistant in this idea, then insist some more!!

I wonder if these tenants will ask for a landlord reference, i can imagine what it would say.  Landlord references are so important to insist on – it will give you insight into a tenant’s previous behaviour.  You can often access free landlord reference on tenant screening websites.  Take advantage of these offers to find out the truth about your tenants!!!

Record breaking levels for rental properties.

Countrywide has reported a record breaking 50, 480 people wanting to rent a property registered with them during the three months running up the end of June.  This is the highest amount since they started collecting data back in 2003.

It was June that saw the highest demard, seeing 18 000 plus potential tenants registering for rental properties.  This figure was 22% higher than June figures.

However, this increase of rental searchers was not met with a rise in properties available, but saw a 6% drop in properties available to rent during that period

This has seen a rise in the average amount of tenant competing for a property at one time, moving up from 4.9 tenants during the first quarter of the year.

This has seen a trend in properties being snapped up quicker, with an average of 2 weeks.

Great news, loads more tenant, all competing for your property!!!  But you need to make the right choice- which one is best!!!

Get an tenant reference, employer reference and landlord reference to make an informed choice on your new tenant.

Residential rental arrears get better for landlords.

The financial times has revealed that over the past three months one fifth of residential landlords have had tenants in rental arrears.

This research was based on some research conducted by the National Landlords association.  Within the first quarter of 2010 24.5% of landlords had seen an issue with non paying tenants.  The outstanding rents now average £800, which is lower than the previous £1000 average at the beginning of the year.

The NLA has also set up a special site to help landlords who are struggling with tenant in rental arrears.

So, a that is quite a few landlords with tenants struggling to pay rent.  But things are looking up with less having trouble. These sorts of statistics only help to confirm, that tenant referencing is a good idea. See if your tenant has defaulted on rent before, and ask for a guarantor reference if need be.

Referencing for tenants doesn’t have to be a hassle, but save you from rental arrears hassles.