5 Questions to Ask a Previous Landlord

Questions to ask when reference checking tenants

Tenancies tie us down in so many ways with pretty great assistance and protection for tenants but not so much for ourselves as landlords. This being the case we need to do our very best to protect ourselves. The easiest way to do this is not get into trouble in the first place by having a great, level headed tenant who understands and respects the rules.

Below are 5 great questions for previous landlords to help you discern if this applicant, who looks great on paper – is as great in person and will still be great down the track when inevitable bumps are struck?

Questions you should be asking previous and current landlords:

1. Ask about relationship

How does the referee know your applicant? Are they someone who can be objective? How long have they known the applicant?

2. Ask about Living situation

Where is the applicant currently living? Why are they leaving? Do they have any pets? Do they smoke?

3. Ask about Tenancy History

When was the last inspection and what state was the property in? Has there ever been any damage to the property or chattels? Have you ever needed to issue a breach notice?

4. Ask about Finances

What rent was the tenant paying in rent before? What are they being paid? Do they have/need any financial help or fall backs?

5. Ask about Personality

Would you say the applicant is honest, reliable, trustworthy? Would you rent to them again?

From these questions you want to be verifying what is on the application form and what you have been speaking about with the applicant in any prior interviews.

If anything doesn’t add up keep pressing. While it could be a mistake you are going to be legally contracted to have this person living in your property and it is not an easy or quick thing to get a bad tenant out.

This conversation should boil down to a fairly quick conversation over the phone. Don’t be tempted to rush, get what you need to hear from referees and trust your instincts. A few more days vacancy to find another applicant is far preferable to a poor tenant causing stress and damage.

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The information contained in this publication is exclusively for promotional purposes and is not to be relied upon for legal or contractual dealings. Tenant Source recommends you seek independent legal advice, and that you may need to seek technical or other advice and information prior to making any actions in regards to tenancies in your investment properties. Tenant Source Ltd including its staff and directors accepts no responsibility for any issues arising as a result of taking advice from this publication.