As a landlord, it is essential to take the time to carefully select potential tenants and verify their identity. This is especially important in light of the recent increase in fraudulent tenancy requests. To protect yourself and your property, you should ask for government-issued documents, such as a driver's license or passport, to confirm the tenant's identity. You can also request a recent bank statement to check if the earnings noted on their voucher match their deposits.
Additionally, you should provide your tenants with the “How to Rent” brochure, which outlines their rights and obligations according to UK laws. If you have any reasonable suspicion that things are not exactly what they seem, you should refuse the lease. It is considered a crime to evict a person from residential accommodation without a court order or to harass them to leave. If you want to report fraud, you can do so anonymously if you prefer. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. False landlords are those who pretend to be authorized to rent a property when in fact they have no authority over it.
To avoid this situation, you can offer your property through a rental agreement with purchase option. This will attract professional tenants who want to rent now but have an interest in buying in the future. Renters who receive benefits, including universal credit, may struggle to meet the criteria needed to approve a check due to insufficient income. To ensure that your tenant works in the workplace where they say they are going to work, you can ask for proof of employment. By taking these steps and being aware of the risks associated with fraudulent tenancy requests, you can protect yourself and your property from potential losses.
