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Landlords/Letting Agents FAQs
- What support do I have?
We will allocate you an Account Manager when we open your account and they will be available to advise you on issues such as referencing criteria and processes and resolve any issues you may have.
- Do I have to enter the same property details more than once?No, a property database is created every time you enter a property. This means that the property is available from a drop-down menu and the details pre-populated should it be used again.
- Will I be passed back and fourth with you guys?
No, you will be allocated a dedicated account manager, so you have one port of call for any needs that arise.
- How will you manage our business requirements?
At Tenant Screening, you will be allocated to an agent who will deal with your account, this will allow the agent to gain an understanding of your requirements as well as allowing a rapport to be built between them and yourselves.
- We already use a company and have credits with them, why should we move?We believe that we offer better packages at a lower price than our competitors. We are that confident of this that we offer a price guarantee, if you manage to find a competitor offering the same in-depth packages at a lower price, we will match this price. Our online system means that you will have minimal involvement with the screening process but will still have access to monitor this from start to finish, saving you time whilst ensuring that a tenant is screened to the highest possible standards.
With Tenant Screening, you are also allocated your own account manager who will manage all of the screenings that you process, this will allow a rapport to be built between both parties and any issues that may arise can be dealt with immediately. - We deal with everything in-house, why change?
Is it possible that using a screening company will save you time and money? We offer an array of cost and reducing packages, powered by Equifax, to screen tenants to a high standard. A recommendation is also provided as to the tenant’s suitability reducing the risk of the possibility of housing a bad tenant.
- We do some screening but not much, what is the benefit of using you?
We believe that we offer better packages at a lower price than our competitors. We are that confident of this that we offer a price guarantee, if you manage to find a competitor offering the same in-depth packages at a lower price, we will match this price. Our online system means that you will have minimal involvement with the screening process but will still have access to monitor this from start to finish, saving you time whilst ensuring that a tenant is screened to the highest possible standards.
With Tenant Screening, you are also allocated your own account manager who will manage all of the screenings that you process, this will allow a rapport to be built between both parties and any issues that may arise can be dealt with immediately. - Tenant Screening is a much of a muchness, what makes you different?
We believe that the key to operating successfully in the tenant screening market is not just to offer the “computer says no” response but to ensure you are giving bespoke advice to each and every negative or borderline case. There are generally ways to convert some cases to approvals while not leaving the landlord exposed to unnecessary risk. Our business processes are designed to offer landlords and letting agents a quick response that is focussed on getting tenants housed efficiently while also limiting risk. This is reflected in our high pass rate.
- What do you do if a screening goes out of its timescale?
If a screening is looking like it will not be completed in time, we will advise both the letting agent and the applicant of the difficulties. We will also ask the applicant to chase the referee as well as chasing them ourselves.
- What information will I get back on the final report?
The information returned is based upon the type of screening that you select. An instant ID and credit check screening will return the applicant credit history. This will search for residency and identity verification, any adverse history the applicant may have and any alerts that may be against the applicant. Finally, the applicant’s credit score is confirmed. Regarding a Full Tenant Profile screening, you will also receive income verification and where applicable, a landlord reference. A recommendation is then provided as to whether the tenant is suitable or not for the application.
- What happens if bad history is returned?
If a bad credit history is returned, we look at the circumstances and see if there is a way for the tenancy to be put forward with a suitable outcome for all parties. This could be that a guarantor is recommended, or a higher deposit is put in place. If an applicant’s history is at a point where these recommendations cannot be provided, the tenancy agreement would not be recommended.
- What if there are multiple applicants but one fails?
Although the screenings are started on an individual basis, if we can see that there are multiple applicants at an address processing at the same time, the final recommendation is not made until both applicants screenings are completed. Therefore, our recommendation can then be made based on the information collected on all applicants.
- When will we need a guarantor?
A guarantor will be suitable if the applicant’s salary is within 10% below the calculated affordability value.
A guarantor can also be added where an applicant has returned a low credit score or adverse history, but salary confirmation has been verified above the affordability. - Under what circumstances would you decline a guarantor?
If a tenant or guarantor returns adverse history that they have not declared when they have had the opportunity to do so, then their application would immediately be declined.
The outcome would be the same if a large minus score is returned or if the applicant cannot meet the affordability. - How do I pay for your services?
You will have the facility to use the online system as a Pay-As-You-Go feature, making payment via Debit/Credit Card or through PayPal. Alternatively, monthly invoicing can be arranged by contacting your account manager who will set this facility up for you. Invoices will be sent on the 1st of each month and can be completed via PayPal.
- Can a prospective tenant or guarantor complete their application online?
Yes, our online system will allow you to send a link directly to a tenant or guarantor via e-mail. This will allow them to enter the required details and return the information to you, once returned, you will receive an e-mail notification. You are then able to check the information and be sure that you are happy with what is provided before progressing to the payment screen.
- What does a credit report tell me?The credit report will look for address and identification verifications against the applicant such as are they on the electoral roll? It will also advise of any adverse history that the applicant may have as well as providing the applicants credit score.
- Do you offer volume discounts?It is possible for volume discounts to be offered. Tenant Screening will review your volumes after to decide if the volumes processed meet the criteria in which discounts are offered going forward.
- How can I tell the applicant that their application has not been accepted?
The recommendation that is made in the final report will outline the reason(s) as to why an applicant may not be suitable to be put forward for a property. The information that is returned will be sufficient to relay to the applicant and will be clear for them to see why this has failed.
- Do I require written consent from the applicant to run a credit check?
If an applicant has completed the form via the e-mail link, they are confirming their details at the end of this process and consenting to the check being carried out so no written confirmation is not required.
- How lng does it take to receive a report?The interim report which advises of the outcome of the credit check is received instantly and will advise if the credit check is approved or if it needs to be deferred to Tenant Screening for review. The final report is provided either instantly (Instant ID and Credit Check), within 24 hours (Full Tenant Profile Express) or finally 48 hours (Full Tenant Profile)
- How do you obtain a reference?
If an e-mail address is entered upon the application, an e-mail will be sent to that individual requesting a reference to be completed. If this is not entered, your Tenant Screening account manager will contact the relevant individuals to pursue references whether these be written, or verbal depends on the type of screening submitted.
- Can I check the progress of an application?You can check the progress of any application that you have submitted by simply logging into your online account. This will allow you to view all notes that have been added to an application as well as view any references that have been returned.
- How is my report delivered to me?Once completed, the final report will be sent to the e-mail address that you have submitted when completing your account setup. This will be sent to you in the form of a PDF File.
- How can I verify the tenant's identity?
There are two ways in which this can be done, firstly by obtaining an identity document from the applicant such as a passport or driving licence. The second is from the credit report, this will actively seek identity markers for the applicant.
- Multiple tenants - should I check them all?
Yes, although one person may look to be the main applicant, it is crucial that all tenants are screened. The reason for this is that the main applicant may have no adverse history and of good credit worthiness, but this may not be the case for the other tenant(s).
- I am concerned that my tenant or guarantors will not want to divulge salary, will this be a problem?
A basic screening can be completed without this information. However, this will purely be a credit check and will not advise on the tenant’s ability to cover the affordability. If references are required, this information will need to be submitted.
- My rent Guarantee policy requires me to do checks with an agency using Experian or Equifax.
Yes, Tenant Screening is powered by Equifax and the credit check information is obtained through them.
- Do you obtain a written reference?
Written references are obtained for to verify income.
- Who would be an acceptable guarantor?
We would advise that a guarantor would need to be a homeowner and have a higher affordability value than a tenant. It is also recommended that a guarantor is a family member of a tenant.
- Isn't a thorough interview of a prospective tenant enough?
No, although interviewing a prospective tenant may give you an insight to them as an individual, it does not tell you of their credit/financial situation and you are leaving yourself exposed for a difficult tenant.
- What makes you different from other screening companies?
Intelligence Led responses. The key to our success has been ensuring customers are given bespoke advice regarding each negative or borderline case. Relying solely on a formula-based credit score for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision without considering other circumstances is an antiquated method we avoid.
Our aim has always been to make sure the landlord is not exposed to unnecessary risk and our business processes are designed to offer landlords and letting agents a quick, intelligence lead response that is focussed on getting tenants housed efficiently while also limiting risk. - How do you compare against other companies?
Our in-depth market research has moulded our pricing to offer exceptional value for money. We believe that the pricing for our screening packages based on how in depth they are cannot be beaten by other screening companies. In fact, we are that confident, we have a price guarantee in place that if you find a package offering the same in-depth checks as ours at a cheaper price, we will match it.
- Are there any hidden fees?
Tenant Screening has no hidden fees; our screening is simply based on a pay as you go basis. It is free to register with Tenant Screening and you will not be subjected to any membership fees, even if you have an account that does not get used.
- I've seen credit checks for less than you, why is that?
The confusion lies with the varying degrees of what a credit check is. Tenant Screening products encompass a full credit check.
- Why should I pay to screen a prospective tenant?
If nothing else; peace of mind. We very strongly believe in the do it right, do it once ethos and recommend some form of reference. Fraudulent or undesirable characters.
- We handle our screenings in house, what is the benefit of using you?Information in one place. Statistically if you take more than an hour to complete a reference start to finish then we can save you money. If you have a credit score cost on top of that the bottom line is, you are paying too much.
- Why do you offer a Pay As You Go option?
Our system is very flexible and versatile, ideal for anyone who needs to screen prospective tenants regardless of their size or volume.
- 'Human Element' when it comes to decision making, does that put me more at risk?No, rather than a standard output made by a system, all applications are dealt with on a case by case basis. Our account managers are all experienced in the fraud sector and will make their recommendations based on the information returned.
- How do we review applications?All applications are human-reviewed offering a transparent and fair judgement of the prospective tenant's application. If a prospective applicant does not pass certain factors of the screening process. We will provide recommendations should the landlord proceed with the application.