Question

Record Keeping and Data Protection (England) | Tenant References and Guarantors (England)

Do I need to document my reference checks?

22 Feb 2018 | 3 comments

I have called my tenants employer and previous landlord to ask the relevant questions, however do I need to document these e.g. by asking the employer/landlord to confirm it by email?

Answer

3 Comments

  1. guildy
    guildy on 23/02/2018 at 9:12 am

    No, unless you want them for your own file. You must however retain a copy of the ID (such as passport) you have taken for the right to rent checks for at least 12 months after the tenant has vacated.

    • chris_mills
      chris_mills on 23/02/2018 at 9:16 am

      Thank you for the quick response! My only thought was whether an insurance company might not pay out if, say, the tenant damaged the furniture and I didn’t have proof that I’d undertaken reference checks on the tenant – have you had, or know of, any experience of this?

  2. green123
    green123 on 27/02/2018 at 9:41 am

    I investigated getting landlord insurance from my bank, Nat West. The bank is quite adamant and clear that it only grants landlord insurance if there are two references on the tenant. So if these were not obtained, or there is no evidence of them, then it is a valid reason for the bank not to pay out on an insurance claim. If you took the bank to the ombudsman, you would lose. It is as clear as day.

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