Would you rent to this tenant

[Alison James]

I am currently looking for tenants for a property I own. The flat is empty and I just happened to be at the property this morning when a prospective tenant and his wife came to view. The decorator was in so I said just to have a look around themselves as there is nothing worse than someone following you around.
Before I left I had a brief conversation with them about what was/was not going to be in the flat.
This is their second viewing.
The letting agent telephoned to say that they want to take it but the tenant said that I had agreed to a lower rent figure when I spoke to him. I did not such thing and we did not even discuss the rent so there could be no misunderstanding.
Now I have no problem with tenants trying to renegotiate the rent but this was a blatant lie.
Part of me thinks I should go ahead even though he lied. He has just arrived from Nigeria and is a doctor so I do not think he would want me to embarras him at the hospital if the rent was not paid.
However, part of me thinks that if he would lie so early in the tenancy I am asking for trouble by letting him in.
I would like opinions.
Thanks

[TenantsLuvMe]

If you want to know about the end, look at the beginning.

This person has told you who they are.
Your instinct is your best tool and in the past, when I ignored mine because I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt, etc, I always got my fingers burnt.

Better an empty property/no rent than a having someone holding you and the property to hostage.

[Alison James]

If you want to know about the end, look at the beginning.

This person has told you who they are.
Your instinct is your best tool and in the past, when I ignored mine because I wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt, etc, I always got my fingers burnt.

Better an empty property/no rent than a having someone holding you and the property to hostage.

I think you have hit the nail right on the head there. I was thinking the same myself really but did not know whether I was being over cautious.

Thanks

[thesaint]

Get the agent to call the tenant with the information that you have given them and see what their reply is.

It could be a simple misunderstanding, although unlikely.

[westminster]

Part of me thinks I should go ahead even though he lied.

I wouldn't let to someone who lied.

He has just arrived from Nigeria and is a doctor so I do not think he would want me to embarras him at the hospital if the rent was not paid.

What do you mean by "embarrass" him? If a tenant owes rent, you do not approach his employer about it.

[chrisastin]

I once was fooled by a respectable tenant but as i found out he became a nightmare T. If a prospective T lies at the 'get go' he will invariably lie through out. You cant embarass him at his place of work eiter he could prosecute you for harassment i would avoid him like the plague.


this is only an opinion and i have no commonsense so dont take it as given :P

[P.Pilcher]

As an experienced landlord, I agree with the advice that everyone has given. Don't touch him with a bargepole!

P.P.

[HairyLandlord]

The letting agent telephoned to say that they want to take it but the tenant said that I had agreed to a lower rent figure when I spoke to him. I did not such thing and we did not even discuss the rent so there could be no misunderstanding.
Now I have no problem with tenants trying to renegotiate the rent but this was a blatant lie.

Would you engage in other kinds of business with someone who starts off lying to you?
Not only that, but they don't seem to care that they would easily be found out!!

Bargepole, Earth starts spinning in the opposite direction, hell freezes over, pigs fly...

[HairyLandlord]

I once was fooled by a respectable tenant

How did you make such a deducement?

[theartfullodger]

and is a doctor so I do not think he would want me to embarras him at the hospital if the rent was not paid.

a) If prospective T behaved as you described I would not touch him with a very long bargee...
b) re "embarrass".. (2 "s"'s... ) Are you familiar with....

Administration of Justice Act 1970
, s40, ref harassment of debtors
(1) A person commits an offence if, with the object of coercing another person to pay money claimed from the other as a debt due under a contract, he—
(a) harasses the other with demands for payment which, in respect of their frequency or the manner or occasion of making any such demand, or of any threat or publicity by which any demand is accompanied, are calculated to subject him or members of his family or household to alarm, distress or humiliation;

....etc etc

c) by

He has just arrived from Nigeria and is a doctor

you mean another bleedin' English returning ex-pat expecting special treatment then, I presume???

Cheers!

Artful

[gullarm]

I rented to a lovely girl from Nigeria. All checked out ok.

Well she was there for around 3 days before leaving and her male friend taking residence, and then he stole my identity and took out loans of thousands in my name.

I always wondered why he paid the rent in cash and had a nice car but never actually worked. She was always coming back at the weekend but I never actually saw her again ( or the neighbours )

Worked out all ok in the end, the rent was paid for a year, though the loans were technically in my name and then he did a runner

All the debts were wiped out by the banks/loan companys.

Didnt even leave a blemish on my credit score.

Keep expecting the coppers to knock on my door - still have all the documents to hand just in case.


Never again!

[jeffrey]

How did you make such a deducement?

By starting with a deduction and, er, deducting from it?

[property mongrel]

That was uncalled for Hairylandlord.

Relax. We all of us post what some others might think are not as useful as they might be posts, not saying that this is the case here.

And in any case, sometimes, being "lovely" can be a factor in determining behaviour.

Have a good weekend all.

pm

[mind the gap]

That was uncalled for Hairylandlord.

Relax. We all of us post what some others might think are not as useful as they might be posts, not saying that this is the case here.

I agree. Obnoxious, really.

And in any case, sometimes, being "lovely" can be a factor in determining behaviour.

Have a good weekend all.

pm

Definitely!

[Poppy35]

That was uncalled for Hairylandlord.

Relax. We all of us post what some others might think are not as useful as they might be posts, not saying that this is the case here.

And in any case, sometimes, being "lovely" can be a factor in determining behaviour.

Have a good weekend all.

pm

Definately uncalled for. Jeffrey spends a lot of time giving FREE advice to many on this site including myself and is appreciated despite the sarcastic comments at times!