New Tenant

[JohnWalters]

Hi All,

I'll be renting my 1st property as a tenant shortly and I have a couple of questions:

1) The letting agency have asked for a Charcter reference. What is this and what info should it contain?
2) Is there some sort of checklist I should go through before the key s are handed over? (eg seeing the Gas safety Certificate etc)


Thanks in advance!

[demon_x_slash]

JW,

If I can remember correctly, when we started renting the character reference had to be from someone who could attest that you were not the sort of person who would be a nightmare tenant (noisy music, likely to damage things) and I used one from a Uni lecturer. It could also be your employer, your doctor, a bank manager (the latter is unlikely, I know )
Are you a student by any chance? In which case, they may mean a guarantor, who would basically be the person the agency would fall back on for rent if they failed to get it from you for any reason - so a parent, a fiduciary, etc.
Checklist - I assume you've already been over the place with a fine-toothed comb on the viewing(s) with regard to damp spots, soundness of window and door frames, exposed electricity wires in good nick...
Carbon monoxide detector is not legally required but is a good sign of a responsible landlord. Smoke alarm is required if it's a property built after 1992. You need to see Gas Safety Certificates too - signed/stamped by a Corgi engineer.
Have you conducted the inventory yet? Have a camera with you. Get everything in writing and make and keep copies for yourself, signed by the agency. It's the only way to cover yourself.

Hope that helps.

[JohnWalters]

Thanks for the info.

I'm guessing that a reference has to be some sort of professional? Would a civil servant or accountant be suitable? (They also want a reference from my employer but that is not a problem)

I'm not a student and have been with my current employer 15 years.

The house was built in the early '70s so there wasn't a smoke alarm.

As for an inventory, the place is unfurnished, not even white goods. (Good in one respect as i don't have to worry about damage as it will all be my stuff!)

I'm an amateur photographer so I thought of the photograph angle too!

Many thanks

[demon_x_slash]

It would help if it was from a professional (an accountant would be superb) but as far as I'm aware it just has to be someone who can vouch for your good character. Ask your mum if you've got no other options

[JohnWalters]

Ok thats fine. I haven't quite asked my mum but a friend from work!

Many thanks!
JW

[Jhawc24]

Originally Posted by JohnWalters

As for an inventory, the place is unfurnished, not even white goods.

It's still a good idea to have an inventory room by room, condition of carpet any marks, walls condition of decoration, kitchen units - check all doors and drawers, curtains (? if any), check all windows for cracks, bathroom - furniture and tiles, garden tidy? hedges trimmed, grass cut, etc. etc. Even though the place is unfurnished there's still a lot they can try and charge you for at the end of the tenancy so cover all angles.

[Joa]

Excellent source of information, for landlords but also for tenants:
LandlordZONE Forums - Rental Property Questions
Additionally, Shelter offers brilliant advice on free housing advice helpline
0808 800 4444
Shelter England: the housing and homelessness charity

[demon_x_slash]

Originally Posted by Jhawc24

It's still a good idea to have an inventory room by room, condition of carpet any marks, walls condition of decoration, kitchen units - check all doors and drawers, curtains (? if any), check all windows for cracks, bathroom - furniture and tiles, garden tidy? hedges trimmed, grass cut, etc. etc. Even though the place is unfurnished there's still a lot they can try and charge you for at the end of the tenancy so cover all angles.

Exactly. Note down everything - if the kitchen worktop is cut from previous tenants not using a chopping board - picture, write it down. Paint on door hinges and handles from sloppy redecorating - picture, write it down. Get the agent/landlord to accompany, or at least confirm all noted damage, then to sign it. You don't want to leave any room for an unscrupulous landlord fleecing you out of your deposit when you do eventually go. I'm sure you'll have a great stress-free tenancy - but it really doesn't hurt to cover your behind...