Unable To Contact Tenant On Mobile - Worried

[good_landlord2]

I had just had a new tenant move in. He has just been there for 1 week now. Tried to call him today on a mobile number that he gave and had worked previously. The phone number was dead. Have e-mailed him and also sent a text earlier today.

I hope that there is some innocent explanation (e.g. lost phone and had to cancel it) but I can't help but worry and wonder if I have just taken on a bad tenant. He has paid a deposit which I have protected and has paid the first month's rent. However, reading around the internet there seem to people who try to 'play' the system knowing full well that it takes time to evict somebody - therefore they get cheap rent for up to six months before they have to move on. Has any landlord here had experience of such tenants?

I am hoping I haven't ended up with such a tenant. May have to come back here for advice if I have.

Will try contacting him for a few days more before I really start to panic.

[westminster]

What credit/reference checks did you have carried out?

[davidjohnbutton]

This is precisely why I take the names of two people whom I may contact if not able to get in touch with the tenant one of whom must be a close relative. I hope you did references at the very least.

Don't read too much into the mobile phone being unavailable - it could be change of number, lost handset or any number of reasons.

[Ericthelobster]

Don't read too much into the mobile phone being unavailable - it could be change of number, lost handset or any number of reasons.

I agree - you're panicking far too much, far too soon - do I understand correctly that it's only a matter of a few hours that you haven't been able to contact him for?

Furthermore, if he's only been there less than a week, presumably he must be up to date with his rent? Yes, there certainly are "professional" tenants who play the system as you suggest, and who will prey on inexperienced landlords who don't vet their applicants properly - however, such individuals will behave as model tenants until such time as you're chasing them for overdue rent: if you had a 'pro' in your hands, why would you suppose he would be getting you on your guard so early on in the tenancy?

[LesleyAnne]

Why are you trying to contact him so soon into his tenancy? I assume you are just ringing him out of courtesy to make sure everything is alright now he's moved in?

Don't get paranoid just because you can't reach him. It could even be that the particular network for his phone is down, it does happen. Step back and wait to see if he calls you - don't pester him again for a few days, otherwise you may alienate an otherwise excellent tenant - innocent until proven guilty remember!