How many times have you shown someone a asset only for them to turn nearby and say "Well, it's nice and when I am ready to move I will give you a call". Grrr how frustrating!! You have just spent all that time showing somebody a asset who is not even looking to move yet!
To make sure you spend your time wisely and only show those candidates who are likely to want to rent your asset (and you want to rent it to them) here are 3 key questions you should ask before you even book that viewing in the diary.
Clean House
The following need to be asked in a kindly manner which is based on you being concerned in the someone who has contacted you to know more about the asset to let. These enquiries are a two-way street - they want to know if the asset is suitable for them - and you want to know if these population are suitable for your property!
1. When are you mental of moving? This is a primary query as they may be looking to move within the next week, but your asset is not ready until the end of the month. Conversely your asset may be ready for immediate work but they are not looking at spicy for other 6-8 weeks. Are you absolutely willing to hang on to an empty asset that long? Getting a time frame is leading so that you can see how your program fits with theirs.
2. Are you currently employed/ claiming benefits? Every landlord approaches the working/ claiming benefits situation differently. However, there are some top line questions you can ask which will give you a good insight into the candidate:
a. Where are you working currently? How long have you been working for that company? Their answers will give you more information about the someone and also will give you key data which may help you sell the asset best - such as identifying commuter routes/ public transport which may be useful for the candidate.
b. Are you currently claiming benefits? What are you currently entitled to? Does that comprise housing benefit? insight the benefits a candidate is entitled to will help you build a best picture of the someone and their needs. If the someone is not currently claiming housing advantage and this is how the rent will be paid, it is primary that you ask them to experience the council and ensure they make an application before you march further.
3. Do you have any pets/ smoke. Whether you accept these depends upon your property. It may be that you have a top floor flat and while a caged hamster may be accepted a large dog is a no-no and would invalidate your lease. I find that because so many landlords do not allow pets that by accepting tenants with pets, my tenants tend to stay longer and look after the asset more. If a tenant has a pet (especially a dog) I ask for a larger "pet deposit" in addition to the asset deposit and I also add a clause in their compact that the asset will have to be expertly cleaned and redecorated if primary when they leave. I apply the same rules for smoking. Many landlords immediately say no to smoking - and I understand why. However, there is a middle ground and you would be surprised by the estimate of tenants who are perfectly happy with "not smoking in the house, but you can smoke outside". This is such a uncomplicated compromise and can work to everybody's benefit.
Asking these questions before you book the viewing can save you a lot of time and hassle and ensure you get the right population to the right property.
3 Questions Landlords Should Ask Before Showing a Tenant Your property
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