Lettings
As a landlord, your main concern is to have a tenant for your rental property. However, it is important for landlords to always protect their property from delinquent tenants. This can be avoided by having a reference check on a potential tenant, particularly the tenant’s capacity to pay. But what if the person has a criminal record? Here are tips before accepting a tenant with a criminal record.
Check the nature of the crime committed by the potential tenant
If your potential tenant has voluntarily presented a basic disclosure about his/her criminal record, you may want to check the kind of crime committed. You may want to consider the gravity or the intensity of the crime. Has the crime affected other tenants? Was he caught doing illegal drugs? Did the person commit a petty crime?
Check the date of the crime committed by the potential tenant
If the crime was committed recently, how can you be sure that your property will be safe? How can you be sure that other tenants will be safe with the potential tenant? On the other hand, if the person was convicted several years ago and the person could be living a clean life now. Nevertheless, you should still be very wary.
Check the frequency and the number of crimes committed
You may want to check how many times the person was jailed for the crime. If the frequency is high, it means that the person has not reformed yet. There could a tendency that the person might do it again in the future.
Know the potential tenant
Talking to the potential client will allow you to better know the person. If possible, you may want to know his former employee or former landlord.
Having a criminal record can have a huge impact on someone’s life. One difficulty is finding a home. People who have criminal records deserve a chance. However, it is also your responsibility as a landlord to protect your current tenants and the neighborhood as well. Therefore, before allowing a person with criminal records, be very careful when you decide.
Do you want to find tenants easier? Consider Bluestone Properties in letting out your property. Bluestone Properties is a letting agency and estate agency based in south London. We cover South London and surrounding areas. Feel free to contact us on 0208 355 3405
