Tenant rental dilemma?

Nursery work is notoriously badly paid, and the prospective tenant could be great, but you have no evidence of that.

You are the one taking the risk and will have the hassle if the tenancy doesn't work out and the rent isn't paid.

I am not unsympathetic to your applicant, but if it were me, there's too many red flags unless you can get further info.

Sounds like the agent /referencing company need to wake up or be ditched if they won't perform the essential checks required these days.

Personally I think you are reading too much into it.

You have what looks like a great tenant who even though the above reply suggests otherwise, is earning enough to cover the earning requirements. If they have the funds to pay the deposit without issue, then they are likely to have savings.

I cannot see the red flags that others apparently can.

I would suggest that you remember that this person is from the generation that you are trying to get on your side. By rejecting someone for what is apparently no fault of theirs, all you are doing is further reinforcing the negative opinion of landlords to that next generation.

As long as she passes the referencing you can take out landlord rental insurance

Can she get a guarantor?

Not impressed by your agent - they seem to have a least effort approach and add little value. Your applicant may be great but it's your income and property at risk.

Holding down a job for 6 months isn't evidence of long-term security so it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for a guarantor otherwise cover the risk with insurance.

I now insist on meeting all applicants in person before agreeing a tenancy. It really helps me understand what issues might arise. They start to learn what's important to you and realise you're not a faceless Rachman. Easier if you're local of course.

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 23/12/2022 - 10:51
no

Conclusion - in the end (by pure luck) another person applied today (directly to me) - and I feel this is a less risky option and a better fit overall within the block.

The Agent has been given short shrift and the contract has been ended with them.

Thanks for everyone's replies. When you are a WFH LL sometimes you need another LL to bounce off.

Re DSR: There's enough problems in this business without what seems to be more. If you go bankrupt no one will help you, as they just want their money back!
Be ruthless and ask yourself "would a landlord(or girl) take on you?" NO! There's safer tenants. You were saved by the bell. And, finally you have booted out an agent you ought to be banned from the market.
Good luck and a merry Christmas

This is why Section 21 was important, it gives Landlords security to evict tenants when they become a problem, stop paying rent or become anti-social, which requires no evidence, Section 8 only offers protection against rent but very difficult to use other grounds without solid evidence, This is the reason Landlords will now scrutinise tenants properly.

Today I was speaking to a lady looking for a 2 bed flat or a house, she is not able to get one locally, even though rent was not so much an issue, as she would qualify for housing benefit, but how many landlords accept housing benefit tenants, and secondly i told her that rents are very high because of stringent regulations imposed on Landlords and property |Licensing has all added to highest rents ever. So why not write to local council and complain that selective licensing is a load of crap and has direct;y caused increased rents.