I have been offered 6 months rent in advance

I have a prospective tenant who has been paid off with early retirement from a major high street bank together with a large critical illness payment for a heart condition.

She has 2 young boys, a broken marriage and a wealthy father as a guarantor. Her credit checks show her to be a very low risk.

She has offered 6 months rent in advance for a 6 month contract. I queried the letting agent about any change in her rights as a tenant if she pays more than 2 months in advance. He checked with his legal advisor and tells me there is nothing different due to an AST being in place. He also says I am within my rights to ask for a further 6 months in advance which will be requested 3.5 months into the tenancy.

The lady in question has a small pension income but a large amount of savings (which means nothing of course) however her father is guarantor with a secure income.

Apart from renting to my step-son last year followed by a refurbishment of the property, this will be my first ‘real’ tenant as such. Trying not to rush into anything but wanting to get the place let.

Would you take her on as a tenant?

Suzanne Edgecombe