An applicant for a recent tenancy that we were preparing has withdrawn and complained that our pre-tenancy checks on them were "over the top". They said that we were "overly thorough" with our checks and that "no other agent or landlord had ever asked for as much as we do". Well, we were glad to hear that, as thorough vetting of tenants is crucial to ensuring that applicants for tenancies will be suitable. With fraud on the increase, proper checks are vital to try and protect our landlords. Here's what our vetting includes:

• Documentary & electronic verification on tenants
• Credit checks & CCJ checks
• face to face meeting
• Affordability and income checks including documentary evidence, employment checks etc
• Address history checks - can uncover undisclosed tenancies
• Previous tenancies and reference checks
• Documentary & electronic verification on guarantors
• Supplementary checks where required

Prospective tenants who won't or can't provide or comply with the above are deemed too high risk and rejected, there is strong enough demand in the rental market not to cut corners on vetting. 

If you or your agent is not conducting proper vetting you are placing yourself and your property at unnecessary risk.

Here at Key One Property, we offer very reasonable VAT-free services to landlords - LET ONLY or LET & MANAGE.