How to interview a tenant

A well-structured, fair and legally compliant interview process is essential for landlords to find reliable tenants to live in their rental property. Therefore, knowing how to interview a tenant is an important skill for a landlord.

Interviewing prospective tenants can be challenging, so this comprehensive guide will detail how to interview a tenant. We will also highlight the importance of following data protection laws and adhering to UK equalities. If you’re stuck for ideas, the guide will also give some examples of what to ask potential tenants. 

Why is interviewing prospective tenants important?

Interviewing prospective tenants is crucial because having the right occupant can reduce worries, lower the chance of problem-solving and create fewer headaches later down the road. That’s why we recommend a thorough tenant screening process. 

As a landlord, it might be tempting to rush through the process of getting a new tenant once your property becomes vacant. While it is important to keep income flowing and limit void periods as much as possible, getting the correct tenant in your property is crucial. 

How to interview a tenant: Getting started

Before interviewing renters, creating some criteria for your tenant is vital. This will allow you to form a picture of what you want from the prospective tenant. It also lets you be consistent with the tenant interviews and helps you avoid biased decisions. It’s common for landlords to include stable income, good credit history, a clean background and receive positive references from previous landlords if applicable in their criteria.

When thinking about how to interview tenants, you must make the whole process fair and legally compliant. If your actions or words seem discriminatory in any way, you might face legal consequences. Under the Equality Act 2010, a person letting out a property must not unlawfully discriminate based on race, gender, gender reassignment, disability, sexuality, age, marital status or religion.

Preparation for interviewing renters 

Preparation is key to a successful tenant interview. Landlords should draft a consistent set of questions covering key topics such as employment, rental history and financial stability. Consistency helps landlords be fair and unbiased and creates a fair comparison between potential tenants.

Landlords should complete other steps of the screening process, such as gathering references from previous tenants and completing credit checks, before the interview. The landlord should familiarise themselves with the results, allowing them to tailor questions and focus on specific areas. Any concerns can then be raised and addressed during the interview. 

What to ask potential tenants?

The questions landlords need to ask should uncover insights into the tenant’s reliability and compatibility. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. Some might seem uncomfortable to ask, but it’s better to find the answer out now rather than leaving it to manifest into problems later. Some examples of what to ask potential tenants are: 

• Why are you moving? This question will reveal the reasons behind the change. It could be a positive change, such as relocating for work, upsizing, or moving closer to a school for their children. But it could unearth some problems, such as a fallout with a previous landlord.
• How long have you been at the previous property? This will give the landlord an idea as to whether they will be long-term tenants.
• How long do you plan to stay? This will give the landlord a rough idea of their future.
• Can you provide proof of income? If this hasn’t been answered already, it’s a good time to ask. This is so the landlord knows the tenant can afford the rental property, reducing the risk of rental arrears in the future. 
• What do you do for a living? When interviewing prospective tenants, this question could indicate whether or not their job is secure.
• Do you work from home? In the modern world, a lot of people are staying at home to work. This is important for a landlord to know because it will mean their tenant is in the property for more extended periods of time, which could create more wear and tear.
• Do you have the required deposit? This is highly likely to be a yes response because otherwise, the tenant probably wouldn’t have let it go this far. However, the speed of their response can indicate how they’ll be with the monthly payments. 
• Are you aware of your responsibilities as outlined in the tenancy agreement? A detailed tenancy agreement is important to stop disputes over who is responsible for what and what was agreed upon at the start of the tenancy. However, it’s not much use if a tenant has not read the agreement or doesn’t fully understand it. Asking this question can help iron out any misunderstandings so that it can be dealt with correctly when a situation arises.
• How many people will live in the property? This is vital so the landlord can understand what will happen inside the property. Landlords can follow up with the ages of the people living in the property. More children may increase wear and tear.
• Do you smoke? When interviewing prospective tenants, finding out if they smoke is important. Smoking in a rented property is often frowned upon because it can decrease the property’s value and cause higher maintenance or repair costs.
• Do you have pets? This will paint a picture of the potential maintenance and repair costs and whether or not the tenant is aligned with your pet policy.

How to interview a tenant: tips and tricks

When interviewing renters, staying professional and maintaining a friendly tone of voice is essential. It’s likely your first interaction with the prospective tenant; first impressions are always important. Having a positive landlord-tenant relationship is vital throughout the tenancy. You can already start to build trust during this interview.

Some questions may include sensitive data or be uncomfortable for the tenant to answer. Consider this when asking the questions, and be thoughtful throughout the interview. This will help the tenant build trust with the landlord.

Watch out for any warning signs when interviewing renters. The prospective tenant might give ideal answers to the questions you ask, but there could be other signs that indicate problems. For example, the tenant may hesitate to answer certain questions, be vague about history, and be inconsistent. A dismissive attitude could also signal trouble towards maintenance and carrying out responsibilities.

As a landlord, you should be taking detailed notes during the interview. This will help highlight any red flags and help you compare tenants if applicable. These notes can then form the basis of a larger document. The landlord can share this with the prospective tenant to help create transparency. 

Learning how to interview a tenant is an essential part of being a landlord. By asking the right questions, watching out for red flags and pairing the interview with a thorough screening process, you should be able to find a tenant who will respect your rental property.

After interviewing prospective tenants, you should feel more confident about your property investment. However, unforeseen events and experiences can still unfold with tenants. Therefore, it’s important to protect your property and investment as much as possible with landlord insurance. To compare landlord insurance quotes, contact us at 01788 818 670 today to find out more, or get a quote online.