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We have a small flat we let out. In the past I have advertised it and the first person who seems acceptable and coughs up the cash gets it. Its now vacant and we are looking for tenants again. We decided to allow a couple of days for viewings and make up a shortlist of candidates
I advertised it on gumtree today - within half an hour I had 4 replies and within a couple of hours two people have looked at it - both would appear to be good candidates and want the flat and are able to move in immediately
do I continue with the viewings? I have 4 more booked in.
How do I choose between what appears to be equally good candidates? First come first served? ( of the acceptable people) Obviously I reject anyone who I get a bad gut feeling about. One of the acceptable candidates it would be half his wages to rent - do you see that as a danger? What other red flags do you have?
I now feel like a shit as I am going to have to tell people that I chose someone else!
Have them slug it out in a dog-kicking contest up Leith Walk?
Fight fight fight. My bet would be on the shortarse spanish computer guy -= he looked feisty for a geek!
and are able to move in immediately
i.e. currently homeless?
I'd want proof that they'd be able to pay the rent each month so details of employment needed as well as proof of some savings. This is what I've had to do when renting although it's tended to be through an agency. One owner did want to meet me.
My bet would be on the shortarse spanish computer guy
Oooh. Not him.
You'll ruin the stair carpets when jackbooted stormtroopers arrest him for deportation on the 1st of November.
Oh, and just for a laugh, one landlady (different culture) asked where my husband was!
CG - I will get employers references.
I guess agencies ask for bank references though that's not affordability.
Go with gut feeling.
I guess you can tell ones now that they are less likely to get the tenancy.
But if you have two to choose from, you have to just be straight (and less is more - just tell them it went to someone else - don't explain / justify)
My second tenant (possibly the first, too) asked to meet me even though it was from agency. First one was not an obvious tenant, but left the house as spotless as when she moved in. No trouble whatsoever. Second has been more maintenance (not repairs as such, just improvements requested) and get on fine with her - as do the neighbours (who even child mind for her). Given the amount of stuff she has, she'll be there for who knows how long.
Oh dear PP - my other choice is the polish restaurant manager and her greek waiter husband! Or the lithuanian.
best tenants we have had were the Czech gay women - although that led to a slightly odd conversation to establish they were a couple as the flat is not suitable for a flatshare for non couples!
I was forgetting that there are no Scottish people in Edinburgh. 😉
Ta Kcal
Pp - certainly not - us white settlers cleared them all
If half the wages go on rent it will be a bit tight on their income. Why are they available to move immeadiately? I’d see them all if arranged your Ist choice may change their mind.
Just moved to the country for work for the single chap ( but a good secure job) - the others have been looking for places for a while while living with friends
I think I will not book any more folk in - that gives me 7 to chose from. the couple would have given me the money there and then ( as would the single bloke). Offered me wage slips to see and everything ( I said no)
Fair enough.
Couple might be better as more likely to be able to pay rent if redundancy happens.
Aye - thats sort of where we are thinking.
Jeepers - rental flats must really be in short supply in Edinburgh. Loads of folk after viewings, folk offering 3 or 6 months rent up front without even seeing the flat. I have stopped accepting folk for viewings - seems daft to allow any more seeing as I have a list of acceptable tenants already.
Its a ridiculous rental per month IMO - but clearly below market rate given the response we have had
Part of me thinks maybe I should have asked more - but that would feel too much like profiteering - we are making good money off it anyway
We have a flat & advertise it through an on-line company & it gets listed on Right Move & Zoople. We get notified of those expressing interest & we organise & conduct our own viewings. We recently had 8 viewings all requested within 2 days of listing & completed in 5 - only extended for a weekend when some could only attend. We had 5 who wanted it & we had to choose the most ‘reliable’ couple who we thought could afford it & would be long term tenants. We are members of the RLA & pay for their referencing service. It covers previous tenancies & an affordability check. We also have to do a ‘Right to Rent’ check which is a legal requirement ensuring they have the right to be in the country - passport / visa etc. We feel bad about turning people down but try to do our best to safeguard our investment. Good luck with yours.
Ta
Its funny how its making me feel. I am providing a lovely home for someone at a below market price but feel guilty as sin! I really shouldn't. I have Spent £15000 plus weeks of my time on doing it up !
~Edit - the right to rent checks seem not to apply in Scotland!
I have just been through this and had to turn about 5 people down before I chose one. I actually went for a mother and school aged daughter as they wanted it long term.
Worst tenants so far were 2 girls sharing, had parties tht got out of hand and cost them 3k in damages. Next worst were students as they did not know how to live, ie, ventilation when cooking, showering etc,
Just remember you are a business not a charity, I felt really bad for the people I turned down.
My new tenant is brilliant, v polite, pays promptly. I have another rental and the tenant is mid 40s, been there 9 years now, again, brilliant, just wants a quiet life, like me...
If you have agreed to all the bookings then you just need to go through all of them then choose accordingly afterward by letting the successful tenant knows immediately. (also the unsuccessful ones)
If they are all good, if you have checked them out, then first come first serve.
If they are not all good then choose the best one and again first come first serve on the good ones.
However, if you are absolutely sure of the tenant you want even only after two viewings then just update the rest. Bear in mind, the rest would not be happy without given a chance to "impress" or to view the property. Anyhow, that is your property so you have the final say.
I've been through similar and it's rubbish turning viewings down, but if you've already found (what appear to be) good tenants and can't see how anyone else would be a better fit then you're actually saving them a wasted trip and both parties get some time back. I took some abuse from people for cancelling an appointment and felt really conflicted about the whole thing, but the tenants I found are still there and the house is actually in better condition than it was when they moved in.
we are making good money off it anyway
Capitalist Pig-dog !
we are making good money off it anyway
Capitalist Pig-dog !
Hear, hear! 🤣
"Rich middle class landlord exploiting the poor" 🤣
Thanks guys - I do find it interesting how the whole thing is making me feel. One one hand its an absurd amount of money for a small flat, on the other its clearly cheap in the local market so I could get more!
running dog surely PP or capitalist lackey 😉
Do others find that every set of tenants leave a load of stuff in the flat? Not rubbish - everyone has cleaned it well but kitchen equipment like juicers and mixers, lamps, throws, shower curtains ( we now have 4!) even crap furniture.
Its weird - I keep on having to ebay stuff that is left behind!