What makes a good tenant? Your complete tenant referencing checklist

Every landlord and letting agent dreams of finding the perfect tenant – someone who treats the property with care, pays rent on time, and is easy to work with. But what should you really be looking for when searching for that ideal tenant? In this guide, we’ll cover the key qualities to keep an eye out for and share a handy tenant referencing checklist to help you make sure your gut feeling is backed up with the right checks.

5 things great tenants have in common

Every landlord and letting agent dreams of finding the perfect tenant – someone who treats the property with care, pays rent on time, and is easy to work with. But what should you really be looking for when searching for that ideal tenant? In this guide, we’ll cover the key qualities to keep an eye out for and share a handy tenant referencing checklist to help you make sure your gut feeling is backed up with the right checks.

1. They’re reliable
   This one’s a no-brainer: A reliable tenant is one who pays their rent on time, every time. 
2. They’re responsible
   Tenants who are responsible care for your property as if it were their own – and might even leave it in better condition than when they found it (we’ve seen it happen!).
3. They’re good communicators
   A tenant who lets you know of any property issues early on, asks questions about the lease when they need to, and gets back to you quickly.
4. They’re respectful
   A respectful tenant is considerate of their neighbours and respects the rules of their lease.
5. They’re in it for the long term
   If your applicant ticks all the above boxes, then you’ll probably want them to stay for longer than a year – so why not find out if they’re looking for somewhere long-term when they apply?.

Your tenant referencing checklist

Think you’re onto a winner? Don’t be tempted to skip tenant referencing to get a good tenant to sign on the dotted line before anybody else does. A proper tenant referencing process is essential to back up your instincts with factual evidence. Make sure you check:

• Proof of income: Review the tenant’s credit score to assess their financial responsibility. This helps identify any red flags such as missed payments or outstanding debts.

• Credit check: Review the tenant’s credit score to assess their financial responsibility. This helps identify any red flags such as missed payments or outstanding debts.
  
  
• Landlord references: Ask for references from prior landlords to gain insights into the tenant’s behaviour during previous tenancies. Were they prompt with rent? Did they maintain the property well?

• Employment verification: Confirm the tenant’s current employment status and character by contacting their employer. This step ensures their job security and ability to afford the rent over the lease period.

• ID and right to rent check: Ensure the tenant has the legal right to rent in the UK by checking their ID and any immigration documents. 

• Tenancy agreement review: Make sure the tenant has carefully read the tenancy agreement and understands their obligations, so there won’t be any surprises down the line.

The secret to finding the best tenants

Finding the right tenant might take some time, but it’s well worth the effort to avoid headaches down the line. By focusing on key traits like reliability, responsibility, and good communication, and sticking to a thorough tenant referencing process, you can feel confident that you're making the right choice. 

Don’t skip the checks – they’re there to protect your landlord’s property and keep things running smoothly. Get the referencing right, and you’ll set yourself up for a hassle-free tenancy, a happy, long-term tenant – and a happy landlord.

Want to make sure your tenant referencing is as thorough as possible? With Vouch, you can easily run all the checks mentioned in our checklist – from credit and income verification to landlord references – all in one place. Learn more about our tenant referencing platform.