What makes a tenant's application stand out?
The current property market is very competitive with prospective tenants battling for limited residential rental properties in London. Due to the scarcity of available properties it is a necessity to make your application stand out. Before frantically trying to place a holding deposit on a property it is important to ensure that you are prepared. Landlords and their agents expect prospective tenants to be able to provide the required documentation and information. There will be many applicants for the advertised property and the Landlord or Agent will be looking at the most suitable candidate. If you do not have any of the required documents or information, you will not be able to place a holding deposit.
You must be able to provide the following (but not limited to):
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A current passport.
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If you do not hold a British or Irish Passport, you will need to provide proof of your Right to Rent in the UK.
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Proof of your income.
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Copies of the last 3 months of your bank statements.
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Landlord references.
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Communication - It is important to be prompt when responding to a Landlord or Agent. The market is competitive, if you fail to reply promptly, you may miss your opportunity. Always respond to the Landlord or Agent accurately to prevent mistakes, which can make the difference between you or another prospective tenant gaining the property.
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Manners - They cost nothing and can be the reason why you are/aren’t selected. A Landlord or Agent also considers the other tenants in a property when looking at a prospective tenant. If you are rude or difficult at the initial stage of trying to book a viewing or place a holding deposit, it may be considered that you are not of a suitable temperament to join the other tenants of a property.
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Be presentable - The way you present yourself can also make a difference when a Landlord or Agent is choosing between applicants. If you cannot attend a viewing or an office in a presentable manner, it may be assumed that you will not be able to maintain a property and keep it clean and orderly.
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Be prepared - When viewing a property it is best to prepare any questions that you may have in advance. The Landlord or Agent may have many viewings booked for the same property that day and will be prepared to answer your questions there and then. It is important to have the information that you require on the day to make a confident decision on whether you want to place a holding deposit on the property. The Landlord or Agent may offer the property to a prepared applicant who has taken the time to write down a list of questions or has researched the area and property etc.