Renting a property can be difficult for both tenant and landlord. Here's how to find the perfect tenant for yours...

Much of this is down to being thorough, using common sense and ensuring that you're always polite, but it's incredible how many landlords miss a trick with oversights when it comes to the points below; then complain about how they can't find the perfect tenant. Are you one of them?

Right to rent

You must check that any prospective tenant can legally rent your property in the UK. This means anyone 18 or over that pays to use your property as their main home, including sub-tenants.

Do this using the landlord immigration check pages of the gov.uk website. You could face an unlimited fine if you fail to, but more importantly, perform the checks and you'll have peace of mind about who is in your property.

Ensure you don't discriminate, too. You or your letting agency must check all tenants, and it's illegal to only check those that you think are not British citizens. There's a difference between checks and discrimination.

Know the benefits of a letting agent

Whether it's arranging the checks mentioned above, credit referencing, or organising any financial aspect such as the guarantor and deposit, a letting agency can not only be a lifesaver when it comes to your time, but they'll ensure that you find the perfect tenant for your property.

Having someone do all the legwork for you who knows the process inside out is invaluable when it comes to making the right choices through experience.

Personal checks on social media

It's amazing what we all leave online and forget is there. You want to see what a tenant is like? Do some background checks of your own on social media. You'll get a real insight into what they're like and it'll give you a better-informed decision as to whether they're right for your let. If they're not the perfect tenant, move on.

Contract lengths

State that you're looking for a minimum six-month term (or longer... whatever works for you) so that you can be confident that they want to stick around and look after where they're living. That's not to say short termers aren't any good, but longevity counts as a vote of confidence sometimes.

Know your rules and be clear about them

Wherever you stand on pets, smoking, sharers, and other similar details, be clear with your prospective tenants and ensure it's in writing. These preferences can make or break the “perfect tenant” or “perfect landlord” subjectivity on both sides of the fence, and if it's not right for either of you from the start then it will only lead to more problems further down the line.

Build your rapport and be open

As with any of these points, build a friendly professional relationship from the start and it will serve you well. Ask your prospective tenants to report damage immediately, for example, and be sure to communicate well with them throughout their time in your property. This is key to finding the perfect tenant, and making sure that they keep acting like one.

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