| There are things you can do to ensure that you | | | | This information will help with trying to locate |
| have the best possible tenants in the current | | | | someone if they should leave owing rent. How |
| circumstances. Having a clear understanding of a | | | | you get this information is to simply ask for it, on |
| tenant's credit history can allow you to make an | | | | top of this you should also be asking for: |
| informed decision regarding their suitability for you, | | | | - Bank Statements |
| but more than that, can allow you to have all the | | | | - References |
| information you need should something go wrong. | | | | - Permission to search their credit file |
| These are called Tenant check, tenant credit | | | | - Bankruptcy & insolvency information |
| check or tenant background checks and are | | | | Once you have these things you should be looking |
| available from various companies. | | | | to buy a report that confirms and clarifies the |
| If a tenant does leave owing money or with | | | | information. There are companies who will access |
| items from the property you will presumably turn | | | | this information for you giving a full report; these |
| to their file and the information that is stored here | | | | reports are usually called Tenant Check. |
| could lead to finding them quickly and discreetly. | | | | The report may cost £30 and hopefully will |
| Finding tenants who have disappeared can be | | | | be put away and never be used but should the |
| straight forward as long as you have the | | | | situation arise where it is needed it will pay for |
| information you need. The easiest time to obtain | | | | itself many times over. It is important that you |
| this information is when the person requires | | | | get the first steps right so should you need to |
| something from you i.e. the rent of a flat/room | | | | trace a tenant through the tenant check you can. |
| house; at this stage the cards are stacked in your | | | | Most tenants are honest and simply want a place |
| favour. You must use this time to obtain the | | | | to call home; they will pay their rent and not |
| information that hopefully you will never need. The | | | | cause any problems for you. There are a few |
| most important pieces of information are: | | | | who do not play by the rules and this is your way |
| - Previous addresses | | | | of saying that you will not stand for it. If you |
| - Credit Score | | | | have this information obtaining county court |
| - Parents address (if future tenant is relatively | | | | judgments and attachment of earnings is much |
| young) | | | | easier. If you want any chance of getting your |
| - Date of birth | | | | money back you need to know where to find the |
| - Employment details name of company but also | | | | tenant before these measures can be put in place |
| all details of company | | | | a Tenant Check will help you do just that. |