Tenant Referencing – who do you use for a thorough check these days?

It's not different to anyone applying for loan or a credit card online - where ones identity is not only established using one source (passport/driving license) but through multiple sources, such as search on credit file, employer reference, etc.

@Mark. This one wasn't using biometric scanning. I did use that type when I last bought a house and it felt pretty secure. The odd thing was though, it gave me the option to use my driving licence instead which isn't biometric so that's probably the ID document of choice for criminals.

@Mervin, I agree that you need multiple checks but what I'm saying is, I don't believe Openrent do the check to verify that the person presenting the passport is actually that person.

Hi Gary,

OpenRent referencing asks for a copy of the prospective tenant's ID (passport, driving license, etc.). Where this is provided, a copy of this is attached to the OpenRent reference report.

If you carried out the viewing yourself, you will know if the person viewed is the same as that being referenced. If you did not carry out the viewing, then it's highly recommended to carry out the check-in and ascertain ID (along with making sure right-to-rent is also checked).

Reply to the comment left by Mervin SX at 11/09/2021 - 21:23
I agree with those recommendations Mervin but that doesn't help with the guarantor though. I have tenants with guarantors who live hundreds of miles away, it's just not practical to do face to face ID verification and, in 2021 why should you still need to?

Reply to the comment left by Mervin SX at 11/09/2021 - 19:19After viewings we give those who wish to apply for the tenancy an initial application form which captures all the information on which we base our decision. Prominent among the questions is one along the lines of "Have you or anyone else who will be living in the property ever had a CCJ against you, entered into an IVA or been made bankrupt? If so please give details." We also ask for details of any pets or intended pets. If NRLA or referencing bodies are not asking these very pertinent questions I find that shockingly unsatisfactory.

Reply to the comment left by Old Mrs Landlord at 12/09/2021 - 00:09
presumably then after the prospective tenant sends you back the Application form you then do a credit/reference check to back up what they have written?

I'm happy to follow the advice of Old Mrs Landlord (thank you, OML) and provide an initial application in future. I would add one further question to it: have you ever been evicted from a residential property?

I do, of course, pre-screen viewing applications. Certainly not everyone who responds to my adverts on OpenRent gets one. The criteria I add asks for them to submit more detail about themselves, the intended occupants and their work location. No response, no viewing.

My recent advert generated 27 viewing requests in less than 12 hours so I paused it. I'm not saying all requests were all of interest to me, but I was able to filter out solid applicants whose workplaces would have been an unrealistic commute from the property.

In future I will have my own initial application form ready to hand out to pre-screened applicants who say they would like to proceed. No timely application: forget it.

The hunt continues - I'm still looking a landlord-centred referencing company!

I've always used rentchecks.co.uk I download their forms and give them to tenants to complete so I can see their information before deciding whether to go ahead with the credit check. I then input the information online. They are more expensive, especially if it's an international check. They do affordability checks and right to reside as standard. If it's not an international you can do a priority in a day or so. They give tenants a score and say if they think they are suitable. I self manage and don't use an agent but I only have 2 properties I rent out. Their forms have boxes to tick for bankruptcy and CCJ's. I've only had one couple fail because they picked up e CCJ they hadn't declared. But I've never had to evict anybody or any major problems in 18 years.

I am thinking of using an Agent for a tenant find service as I have three flats all up for let at the same time as all just been renovated.
One uses their own Application form to get a 'brief history' of the tenants pre viewing, then they use a company called Vouch to collate the info and then they check the references in house.
Anyone any comments on this approach??