Get a Valuation
    Register
    LogoLogo
    • Property Search
    • For Sale
    • To Let
    • Commercial
    • Contact us

    Contact us

    Sales and Lettings (Viewings and Valuations)

    t: 01704 550 048
    e: Email us

    Rentals Property Management (Existing Tenancies)

    t: 01704 54 34 34
    e: Email us

    Leasehold Property Management

    t: 01704 545 800
    e: Email us

    Report a Repair

    We will contact you as soon as we can during office hours. We love pictures! Provide as much information as possible.

    Click here to report a repair

    Home/News/What makes a good tenant in 2024?

    What makes a good tenant in 2024?

    Lettings

    On the outside, selecting a good tenant may feel as simple as accepting the person who makes the highest offer, especially if the most recent news is to be believed. A survey undertaken for the New Economics Foundation found tenants were willing to go to extreme financial lengths to secure a rental property. As a result, landlords have had the luxury of waiting for the ‘highest bidder’ to emerge.

    over 1 year ago
    What makes a good tenant in 2024?

    On the outside, selecting a good tenant may feel as simple as accepting the person who makes the highest offer, especially if the most recent news is to be believed. A survey undertaken for the New Economics Foundation found tenants were willing to go to extreme financial lengths to secure a rental property. As a result, landlords have had the luxury of waiting for the ‘highest bidder’ to emerge.   

    In fact, New Economics Foundation’s figures found 4 in 10 tenants were paying £1,200 a year above the advertised rent for their home, with fierce competition forcing renters to keep making offers until they’re the last man standing. The median amount paid over the asking rent was £100 a month (12%), with the mean amount £190 a month.  

    Music to a landlord’s ears? Of course but there is much more to moving in the right renter and protecting a property than money. One of the survey’s responses gave insight into the wider picture that forms tenant selection. Of those questioned, 19% of tenants were asked to supply a copy of their CV to the landlord.  

    Tenant referencing is there to check the holistic picture. Anyone can say they can pay the advertised rent but they have to have the financial means to back up their claim. Equally as important is how a tenant behaves. There’s no point rejoicing at a handsome monthly fee when the landlord has to pay substantial amounts of money to rectify any damage done to the property.  

    Our referencing process ensures the bigger picture is presented to the landlord, allowing them to make a decision based on risk rather than just financial reward. Considerations when choosing a tenant should include:  

    Qualifying status to rent in the UK: ensuring the tenant has the right to rent in the UK by following a set ID and document checking process (a legal requirement).  


    Past payment reliability: looking into whether the tenant has ever missed rental payments or been evicted due to rent arrears.  

    Income verification: checking that the tenant earns enough money to cover the rent, noting the regular amount paid in by an employer.  

    Credit history: looking for signs of ‘adverse credit’ and for evidence that the tenant has a poor history of paying bills on time.   

    Ability to pay rent upfront: if the tenant offers to pay six months’ of rent upfront, checking for proof of funds.  

    Ability to supply a guarantor: noting if there is a suitable family member or friend who could become a trustworthy guarantor – one that would themselves pass referencing checks.   

    References from employers: investigating whether the person is employed by the company they say, whether they are in a probation period and if they are a reliable employee.   

    References from past landlords: hearing from past landlords on matters of anti-social behaviour, ability to pay the rent (and to do it on time), whether they had sublet the property and what condition they left their past home in when they moved out.   

    There are signs that rental demand will continue to be high throughout 2024. We are experts at handling demand and any ensuing bidding wars, using our referencing process to put forward the most authentic and reliable renters. Please get in touch if you would like help with finding a tenant in 2024.

    Share this article

    More Articles

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    More than half of under 34s hope to become a landlord

    Published 13 days ago

    Younger Millennials (born between 1991 and 1996) and those in Generation Z (1997-2012) still see a future in property investment. That was the surprising finding of a new survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted by Opinium on behalf of Market Financial Solutions.

    Read More
    Office To Let - Bills Included from £250 pcm

    Office To Let - Bills Included from £250 pcm

    Published 15 days ago

    Escape the Home Office Hassle — Your Own Workspace from Just £250/month! We have a few different sizes available.

    Read More
    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    A tenant’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

    Published about 1 month ago

    The Renters’ Rights Bill has taken another step towards becoming law. With no major amendments expected, it’s now that tenants should take notice of the Bill’s contents.

    Read More

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Subscribe to receive the latest property market information to your inbox, full of market knowledge and tips for your home.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.

    Back to Home

    Leave a review 

    If you have been
    happy with our service
    please leave us a review!

    Useful Links 

    Sales
    Lettings
    Commercial
    Leasehold Management
    About
    Meet the team
    Leave a Review

    Contact 

    Sales

    T: 01704 550 048

    E:  sales@ajestatagents.co.uk

    Rentals (Viewings)

    T: 01704 543434

    E: rentals@ajestateagents.co.uk

    Rentals Property Management (Managed lets)

    T: 01704 543434

    E: rentalspm@ajestateagents.co.uk

    Leasehold Block Management

    T: 01704 545 800

    E: pm@ajestateagents.co.uk

    Golf – The open 2026 enquiries

    T: 01704 543434

    E: golf@ajestateagents.co.uk

    ARLA
    NAEA
    OnTheMarket
    RightMove
    Logo
    Logo
    © 2025 Anthony James Consultancy Ltd trading as Anthony James Estate Agents, registered in England & Wales No. 4540834. Registered office: Ground floor, Charlotte House, 35-37 Hoghton Street, Southport, PR9 0NS
    Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Cookie Policy|Complaints Procedure|CMP Membership|Client Money Protect Certificate|AJ Leasehold Complaints Form
    Powered by