By Admin Landlord 1 Comment

Should Landlords Get Personal References From Rental Applicants?

Rental applications require all sorts of information about the applicant, their credit, their previous rental history, criminal background and employment information. When it comes to rental application though, landlords tend to want to know as much as they can regarding the person who occupies their property. One of the major themes in rental applications is the request for references, personal or character.

Landlords basically want to do a lot of tenant screening to gather all the information they want to about the person who they are going to rent their property. They usually carry out personal references that include calling and evaluating. Moreover, landlords tend to check those avenues that give real information.londonhouse

Personal References And Why You Should Check Them

Personal references refer to the phone numbers and names of the rental applicants that they give on the application. Similar to HR references, these references basically provide information regarding the applicant including all the details and about the person’s character. The references are not character references but business associates, co-workers and friends.

Why Personal References Are No Good?

Generally though it is felt that these references are not good enough because people tend to provide those references, in fact about people who will provide them with the best details about them. This is therefore not considered to be legit and that is the reason why people don’t think about personal references as worthy enough.

However, there is still a sound reason why these personal references should not be discarded entirely. Personal references can still provide you with certain insights regarding the applicant.

Why Should You Check Them Anyway?

You Might Find The Truth

Certain times the references that the person provides may not really be in line with the applicant. And if this is the case you might have then gained some really valuable insight about the applicant himself. Thus by asking open-ended questions about the person, you might get some really important information about the person which you might have otherwise not have obtained.

You Might Know Their Associates

Additionally, it can also provide you with some information about who the person associates with. This will provide you insights regarding the character and personal references about the person and then it will also provide cross section of co-workers and friends. Acquiring all this information about the client will help you get all the information about the applicant. This information is vital and should be saved.

You Still Have Certain References

In the case of emergency and the person might leave, you will have certain emergency contacts that will save you from trouble. Basically in chance that the person leaves the house without any notice, you will still have an emergency contact that you can reach without any hassle.

Thus even though these references might not have to provide a lot of information about the person, they may still provide you with some information. You can still talk to them and get to know certain details about the person and may lead to some protection in case there is any bad event. However one must never rely too much n these references because they might not always be legit.

It can be said thought that even though personal references don’t really make a big difference, they still have an impact. Why? Simply because you will get to know about the person more. These references can then provide you with some vital information about the person including their criminal background, income verification and others.

The Screening Process

The screening process involves several stages; some of them include:

First Contact
Some pre-screening questions should be asked from the tenant in order to ensure that the prospective tenant does not waste your time. The tenant will call you for more information about the lease and the property.

First Meeting
The first meeting involves meeting the person for the first time. This includes meeting the tenant for the very first time. First meetings can tell you a lot about the person and you should therefore be very careful about the red flags. You must carefully assess the person when you meet them and check for any loose strings.

The Application
Credit reports and criminal checks are essential when it comes to keeping a prospective tenant. The tenant is interested and so are you. You must have them fill out the application so that the references you get from the prior landlords and employers are legit. You must also make sure that you conduct a criminal check and credit report to ensure in order to conduct background checks on the person.

Approving The Tenant
Since you will be getting a lot of applications in the same time, you must screen the candidates properly. Once you are through with the screening process, you must then accept the suitable client and decline the other applicants. Unless and until you haven’t signed the lease, you will not be through with the screening process.

Lease Signing
The final process involves lease signing. You have to sign the lease in order to finalize the deal. You and your prospective tenant will be ready to sign the lease. Go through the lease with him carefully and ensure that the rules are finally completed. You can always think about dropping the lease if things are not going in your favor.

Questions You Should Ask
Landlords often wonder about the questions they should ask the prospective tenant. The questions then should include the following:
Applicant contact information: You must acquire all the information about the applicant including their legal name, driver’s license number, eviction process etc. You must also check the email address of the client.

Existing or prior residence information: This is another essential that you must check including the residence history and check up on the references to follow up with.

Employment History, Proof Of Income: Lastly, you must also acquire information about the general history and proof of income about the client to ensure that you have enough information about the client.

By Admin Landlord 0 Comments

What can I do if a tenant puts a hole in the wall?

You’ve spent lots of time, money and effort on your property, and naturally you might worry that tenants won’t treat the property with the respect it deserves. Unfortunately, even tenants with the best intentions might, on occasion, put holes in the walls. This could be because they had something hanging from the wall (anything from a cabinet to a picture frame) or had an accident, but either way, it is up to the landlord to prevent or repair these holes. a tenant puts a hole in the wall?

Prevention tips

Whatever the reason for the holes, the best thing is always to prevent them.
One of the best ways to do this is to create a clause in the tenancy contract which clearly stipulates that the tenants are not allowed to make holes in the walls. Any breach of the contract means that the tenant is liable to pay for the cost of the repair.

If you give the tenants permission to hang things from the walls, ask them to use the correct equipment for the job – no using large, thick nails when a small photo frame nail would have sufficed (and made an almost non-existent hole in comparison).
Alternatively, the landlord could provide a packet of screw-less fixings so that the tenants can hang lighter objects, such as picture frames, without the need to make any holes.

Reaction

On discovery of new holes, the landlord should give the tenant the opportunity to fix them, if they still live at the property. If the tenant has already left the property, take pictures of the damage and send them to the tenant. Explain that these holes don’t usually fit under the category of ‘general wear and tear’. As such, the tenant will have to cover the cost of fixing the holes (of which they should already be aware).

If the responsibility of fixing the holes falls to you, then there are various steps you can take for an easy job.
You could try filling the hole with some sort of filler (e.g. Polyfiller), and then sanding down and painting over once dry. This doesn’t always give the best finish, but it’s cheap and quick and if the hole is small, is perfectly acceptable.
When painting over the hole, it is generally recommended to paint the entire wall, rather than just the area covering the hole, to ensure an even finish.

Alternatively, the landlord could hire a decorator to complete the work to a high-quality finish which is especially important if the holes are large (although this will be more expensive). If the holes are very big, a plasterer might be more appropriate.

By Admin Tenancy Agreement • Verbal Tenancy Agreement 0 Comments

Tenants Without a Written Contract- Verbal Tenancy Agreement

Most tenants fall for this because they do not have the adequate education or knowledge about this. They think they have no right which is WRONG. They do have right as a verbal contract is bonded by law. Which means a verbal agreement is a legally binding agreement just as a written one. (But most expect would not advise you to go for this option).

What is my Legal Right without a written Tenancy Agreement?

The fact that a tenant does not have a written agreement does not affect the statutory right of the tenant. Under this agreement, both the tenant and landlord is protected by the statutory law. If an agreement was reached (without a written agreement) and the landlord wants to evict the tenant, he/she is required to submit a valid Section 8 to the tenant before the tenant can be evicted and also the reasons for eviction must be on legitimate grounds. Also, after the Section 8 is served to the tenant, he/she is entitled to 14 days after the date of submission to decide on what to do. This process is just the same as evicting someone with a written agreement.Verbal Tenancy Agreement

A tenant without a written Tenancy Agreement can request for the Housing Officer at the Local Authority to inspect the property if he/she is not happy with the condition of the property and based on the outcome, request for an improvement notice to be served to the landlord in the property does not meet the set standards.

How Is a Verbal Tenancy Agreement Created?

For both parties (they) to say they have entered into a verbal Tenancy Agreement, there are some factors that should be included in the Verbal Tenancy Agreement for it to be deem valid which includes the following:

  • They must agree to be legally bonded to the agreement
  • They meet the minimum requirement in other to enter into an agreement (i.e. not drunk, insane or under the age of 18)
  • They must not be under any pressure to commit to the agreement
  • The agreement cannot go contrary to the law

Although the above are some elements of a Verbal Agreement, there are three most important factors that must also be included:

  • An Offer
  • An acceptance of offer
  • Payment known as the legal term consideration.

Why Is Verbal Tenancy Agreement Not Advised Even Though It is Protected By Law?

Even though Verbal Tenancy agreement is boned by law, it is always in your own best interest to go for a written Tenancy Agreement when creating a tenancy. Written tenancy agreement helps avoid misinterpretation between both parties. The written agreement clearly outlines the terms and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant. This help solves any further dispute or misunderstanding that may arise later on.

Also for those who have in a Verbal Tenancy Agreement, you are advised to go for a written one if you want to renew the Tenancy.

How Do One Create Written Tenancy Agreement?

Despite its massive benefits, a written agreement is not difficult to put together. There are a lot of resources at your disposal you can use to create one yourself. There are many websites that offer a Written Tenancy Agreement Template that you can use to create one yourself. You can also consult a specialist solicitor who will help you draft one.

Reading all the above, if you are a landlord or a tenant who is yet to commit to a tenancy agreement, then it is advisable to go for a written one. Also, if you have already committed to a verbal Tenancy agreement, that is not the end as you are protected by the law but is advised to go for a written one when renewing your agreement.

By Admin Property • Property Management Company 0 Comments

Benefits of Hiring a Property Management Company

One of the biggest and most valuable investments people make over the course of their lives is in residential or commercial real estate. Often, it takes life savings from years of hard work to get the property you really want. While managing a property may not seem like a big deal at all first, once you get into the game, the paperwork and other daily tasks can really catch up. This is where property management companies come in.estate-agents-uk

In addition to helping with managing day to day affairs for your property, these companies can also help add value to your investment. From single family homes to large office buildings and apartment blocks, property management companies can help manage all kinds of real estate operations. It is no wonder then that most real estate investors recommend using a good management company, and consider it one of the essentials in the property business.

When Should You Hire a Property Management Company?

Relying on a property management company can transform the way you see real estate, and be a real game changer for your future. If you fall in one of the following categories, you should seriously consider hiring a property management company:

  • You have multiple properties and rental units.
  • You live far away from your rental property.
  • You have limited time, or you simply do not want to be involved in hands-on management.
  • You want to focus on growing your business without having to deal with endless paperwork.
  • Your property is part of an affordable housing program and you need help to deal with loans, credits, and returns.


How do I Choose the Property Management Company?

Before you jump right in, it is important that you know the risks associated with handing over your property to a real estate management company. While it is true that most companies work to help increase the overall value of your property, there are a lot of inexperienced operators out there who may do the exact opposite. Therefore, it is very important to choose wisely when it comes to property management companies. We have put together a list of some essential items you should check before entering any contracts:

  • Get recommendations from colleagues and local apartment associations. People will recommend companies that know how to do their jobs correctly and make properties better places to live in. Moreover, you can be comfortable knowing that the recommended management company has local experience and is known well throughout the area.
  • Visit websites of the Property Ombudsman (TPO), the Ombudsman Service and the Property Redress Scheme (PRS) to search for approved professionals in your area. All three organizations maintain updated databases of real estate management organizations operating throughout the United Kingdom.
  • Check how many properties and units the organization you are considering manages. Additionally, be aware of a management company that has their own properties; they are more likely to focus on them first, and your property may get left out.
  • You should also check how often managers will be personally visiting the sites in order to inspect them periodically. It should also be decided on who will manage maintenance issues and if there will be any extra charges for this service.
  • Determine the charges beforehand. Most managers charge between 5 and 10 percent of the rent generated from your property. However, some companies determine this amount on the maximum possible rent, and expect to be paid whether the property is occupied or vacant.

At the end of the day, make sure to read the fine print before signing up with a real estate management company.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Property Management Company?


A good management company is worth every penny you spend. Here are some ways they can help make your life easier:

Dealing with Tenants and Handling Maintenance


From tedious tasks like screening applications to planning out payments and completing tons of paperwork, management companies have the manpower to get the job done quickly. Most companies use a thorough vetting process to find tenants that pay on time, rent for long periods, and have a clean record. You will also be protected from rental scams and lawsuits resulting from misuse of property. 
Good maintenance is necessary to keep tenants happy and a professional management firm has access to contractors who perform routine maintenance work and all kinds of repairs. Having in-house maintenance staff increases the value of your property, and results in considerable savings as well.

Legal Issues


One of the biggest advantages of using a property management company is the protection it offers from all types of legal issues. From angry tenants to accident victims, property management companies stay on top of it all. With detailed knowledge about state and local laws for commercial properties, these companies can cover most situations. This includes safety of the property and living conditions. Additional duties range from handling security deposits and lease agreements to conducting inspections and handling the eviction process.

Get Your Property Ready for the Market

Experienced property management firms will complete multiple tasks to help get your property on the market. This includes thoroughly inspecting the property, gas safety inspections, electrical inspections, EPC, making any cosmetic changes required, and suggesting other improvements that increase the residual value and promise to boost revenue.

Furthermore, these organizations also help determine an appropriate rental rate based on the location, average income in the area, age of tenants, and other factors affecting the local market. With access to all this information and more, real estate management companies are much more informed in this entire process and can make better decisions.

One important element of getting your property filled up is marketing; and most management companies have dedicated marketing departments to help achieve targeted occupancy in a short amount of time. They can also get cheaper deals due to volume discounts and market your property online.

Value of Investment

A good property management company will seek to take every possible step to increase the value of your investment. By putting into place strict procedures to comply with local regulations, carry out periodic maintenance, and supervise the general appearance and daily operations of your property, these companies will have a positive financial impact in the long run.

Personal Benefits
By handing over management functions to professionals, you can relax and enjoy life as you have always wanted. Less stress from not having to deal with tenants and plenty of time and freedom to do what you want will greatly improve your lifestyle and health.

By Admin Rent 0 Comments

Accepting Late Rent During the Eviction Process: Bad or Good Idea?

Collecting late rent can be actually frustrating if you are a landlord. Collecting money from someone who is using your rental property is the main reason why you lent your property in the first place.

Getting money out can be a real problem when the tenant starts the eviction process. Tenants usually get angry when they get a notice that the eviction process has begun. Certain tenants decide to abandon the process whereas others fight the eviction. Landlords can even decide to leave as soon as possible without inflicting any damage to the property.Tenants Late Partial Payment

One scenario that you might not consider is when the tenant tries to get in touch with you about paying the rent late after the eviction process has begun. Here are certain things that you can do in order assess what is best for you:

Partial Payment Before Filing

The hardest part of navigating a late rent pay is when tenants offer to pay partial rent and promise to pay you the rent much later in the future. If you decide to pay the rent late, you are deciding to waive off the eviction process. For instance if you are deciding to send the notice to the tenant on a Monday and accept the partial payment on Wednesday, the Monday notice will not be valid. If they fail to pay the 2nd part of the late rent on Wednesday, you will not be able to revert the Monday notice. You will have to start the process all over again. However ultimately you will decide whether you want to get the partial payment or quit the timeline. If the tenants are good ones or they are barely late, there have been some outside circumstances and then you can decide to give them a break. However ultimately it is your property and you will be able to negotiate and decide how much longer you want to delay the payment. The tenant can however fail to meet the negotiated deadline or make the rent payment in full, the landlord can always decide to start the eviction process from the missed date and not the date on which the payment was actually or originally missed.

Pay or Quit Notice

The quit notice is sent to the tenants when the payment is late. The notice will give the tenant the much awaited time to pay the late rent before the landlord takes the next step to file the paperwork with the court. It all depends on the state. The time period might be somewhere from 3 to 14 days. When you get the payment in full with the late fees, it will mean that you are getting rid of the eviction process. Basically, accepting the payment will waive off your right to process the eviction of the tenant for the non-payment of the rent.

You can even accept the late rent payment and fees if they are paid in full irrespective of whatever happens. As long as the tenant decides to pay by the notice’s deadline, the landlord must receive the payment and he will then have no right to file anything in the court.

If you have started the eviction process with the court, your tenant might still call and offer to pay the rent. If you get the payment in full or even late rent payment, the court will dismiss your eviction process. If the process is evicted, you can basically decide to start the process again. Certain landlords do not accept the payment after there has been a filing in the court. However others might decide to get the payment in full. Certain landlords become happy to get the rent payment either it is partial or it is full and till the eviction process starts. If you deny the late rent payment and don’t accept it, the process will continue and your rights will continue to keep going. However it is on the landlord to reject the rent payment after the papers have been filed.

Several countries have clearly defined laws that permit landlords to accept partial payments of late rent without fully waiving their rights to the eviction process. Some countries just allow the landlords to get partial payments without waiving their rights to the eviction process. You must get all the information you can on eviction laws in the country in order to see exactly what is being done and you cannot accept late rent payments following the beginning of the eviction process.

The Final Choice

It is finally up to the landlord to make the eviction process and payments. It is their personal view according to the situation that emerges. While it is on the landlord to decide the decisions they want to make it varies by case to case. It is a better idea to decide the procedure that you follow with each tenant.

It is not a good idea to delay the eviction process over and over again as it can leave you with a string of partial payments. It also sends a very bad message to the tenants as in this way you will be pushing them to the limits. They say it is much better to go through the eviction process and try to get some really good tenants instead of messing around with tenants who will make you very frustrated with late rents.

Eventually, the whole process can be really frustrating, but ultimately it is the landlords choice as to what to do. If you can easily accept late payments, you can easily decide to go for the late payments if you do not want to get the eviction process started. On the other hand, if you however do decide to begin the eviction process all over again, the process can become very frustrating.