As Landlord Action successfully gained possession of a property after one landlady’s six month battle against a serial offending tenant, Belvoir Sheffield, the leading lettings agent in Sheffield is highlighting the importance of thorough referencing.
The case highlights once again the crucial need to carry out thorough tenant referencing to avoid falling victim of unscrupulous tenants and the consequences.
Landlady Mrs Finberg used a local letting agent to rent out her two bedroom apartment in the Borough of Barnet back in 2010 and fell victim to a problem tenant just two months into the tenancy agreement.
It was claimed that the tenant made ‘decorative’ changes to the property without permission, and failed to pay any rent at all after two months. The tenant allegedly then went on to paint walls, rip out a sink, take down the radiators and removed much of the furniture leaving it to rot outside.
Rick, from Belvoir Sheffield, who specialise in providing flats to rent in Sheffield, said: “This scenario is unfortunately all too common, especially for the DIY landlord. In the case of Mrs Finberg, the references were not properly checked by the lettings agent. Many landlords fall victim to rouge tenants and it really does highlight the need for thorough checks before any agreement is signed and finalised.
“Unfortunately for Mrs Finberg as with many inexperienced landlords who fall victim to such treatment, she lost her home after the mortgage was £7000 in arrears. Despite some landlords suffering at the hands of their tenants, this is often due to a lack of education and experience. By opting to let a property through a reputable lettings agent, it will reduce the likelihood of situations arising in the first place, and if they do occur, it is the agent that will rectify the problem on your behalf.
“When landlords come to Belvoir Sheffield, we offer them access to the most up to date legal advice available for free from our legal helpline. We also specialise in creating a professionally written inventory for them, including digital photographs to ensure that they are fully protected, should a dispute arise. “
Disputes over property damage often fall in favour of the tenant because landlords fail to compile adequate inventories. Using a reputable lettings agent will ensure that if a tenant did decide to rip out the radiators or leave the furniture outside in the garden, that this is properly documented.
Rick, whose office on Campo Lane specialises in providing houses to rent in Sheffield, added: “Prior to a tenant moving in, Belvoir Sheffield run thorough credit checks and get references for all parties who intend to move into the property. Our credit checks are so thorough that people often back out when we tell them what checks we are going to do. Acquiring adequate landlords insurance at the very first opportunity is also a very important consideration in protecting yourself as a residential landlord and lettings agents can sometimes offer discounts on such cover.”
Belvoir Lettings Agency in Sheffield is the One Stop Specialists for Lettings including Property Management, Tenant Find, Investment and Wealth Management Advice, Fit-outs and Renovations, Furniture Packs and Investment Property Insurances
