How does Breathing Space affect my ability to evict a non-paying tenant?
12 months ago | 27 comments
Meeting a potential tenant at their current home?
9:47 AM, 29th April 2025, 12 months ago
11
Hello, my current tenant at my last and only let property is leaving to buy a property and for various reasons I can’t sell.
When she was talking to a friend, she learned that her friend’s daughter is looking to move to the village to be close to her family.
My tenant showed her the house and she’s very interested.
I normally use a letting agent’s find a tenant service.
I’d like to meet this potential tenant in her current home to see how they have kept it, however when (quite a while ago) I previously suggested doing this, the letting agent told me I could not ask to do this.
Does anyone know of a reason why I couldn’t ask this? And do you think this is a reasonable request?
Thank you,
Kevin
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Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
10:36 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
I have done this a couple of times in the past where there were specific aspects of the tenancy/tenants that I wanted to get a view on. Neither party had any issue with it, and in both cases it gave me the confidence to proceed with the tenancy so it was helpful.
If you’re not using the letting agent, they’re not there to tell you what to do or not to do (and I’m not sure they’re correct anyway about not ‘being able’ to ask to see tenants’ current accommodation). These days with the pending RRB security provisions and landlords being required to hand over valuable properties for seemingly indefinite periods, LLs should do as much due diligence as we can to satisfy ourselves regarding prospective tenants.
Member Since April 2024 - Comments: 32
11:11 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
I don’t find it an unreasonable request and the prospective tenant is free to say no. (Which would probably tell you all you need to know!)
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
11:17 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
Its a very useful strategy that I’d recommend and have used it myself.
Its only a request by you to visit them.
Potential tenant can refuse, as can the landlord choose which tenant they prefer to rent to.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1013
11:21 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
As it’ll be prearranged if the prospective tenant has any nouse they’d have cleaned & tidied beforehand. If they haven’t then that’s another reason not to let to them.
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1570 - Articles: 16
11:41 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
When I suggest a visit to a potential tenants current address, some landlords ‘ shy away from that’ for whatever reason.
An alternative, ‘less confrontational – if that’s how some perceive it’ method is to Look at the car the tenants turn up in, go out to meet them when they arrive – depart.
Is the car untidy, crisp – sweet wrappers all over the floor etc. because if the car is like a ‘tip’ then their rental property is probably the same.
Drive past their current address. Are there rusty bikes piled up in the garden, etc. etc.
You can tell a lot from the outside appearance of a property alone.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 473
11:45 AM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
Have an informal chat with the prospective tenant somewhere and do a referencing check for less than £50 and you are as safe as you can be.
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 1190
12:18 PM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
How about flying a drone over the tenant’s current home and have a look at the rear garden to see if it’s well cared for. This isn’t illegal by the way.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 41
3:39 PM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
The agent probably doesn’t want you to realise you can do it yourself. They want their %
Member Since September 2023 - Comments: 92
8:45 PM, 29th April 2025, About 12 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 29/04/2025 – 12:18
As long as you don’t get caught? You are right in regards to flying a drone but flying them with the intent of “spying” can come with problems. Especially if you are posting with your name in clear on the Internet and ever get caught doing it 😆
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 28
8:54 AM, 30th April 2025, About 12 months ago
If the tenant is intending long term then you’re going to have to refurb afterwards so tidiness etc doesn’t really matter. I would worry most about the financial side.