Refusing Tenant Applications

[Louis252]

I have two young blokes interested in renting one of our properties.
Both showing bank statements as proof of income, self employed & earning a lot of money sporadically throughout the month.

I do not like the look of them :confused: & I suspect they are drug dealers (tell me they are both self employed in building trade)

Landlord trusts my judgment & agrees refuse them if I have a gut feeling they are bad news (I have been right with my gut feelings in the past on tenants who are perfect on paper).

I have only ever refused tenant applicants for poor credit history or poor references in the past.

My question is, How do I refuse these guys? Do I need to provide grounds for the refusal?

“I don’t like the look of you (look like drug dealers) & the money you are both earning makes me suspect you are drug dealers” wont go down to well.

They have not yet paid the reservation fee as I have expressed my concerns to Landlord before accepting it.

[mind the gap]

No, you do not have to give a reason. Just politely tell them that the LL is unable to offer them the tenancy. Return any money they have paid you.

There is however the possibility that this kind of rejection on the grounds of pure personal prejudice may backfire on you as an agent.

[Ericthelobster]

Both showing bank statements as proof of income, self employed & earning a lot of money sporadically throughout the month.

I do not like the look of them :confused: & I suspect they are drug dealers (tell me they are both self employed in building trade)I suspect most drug dealers would tend not to pay their ill-gotten gains directly into their bank acounts... they might be rather stupid drig dealers of course.

Any suggestion that they'd want to be try paying their rent in cash?

[ram]

My question is, How do I refuse these guys? Do I need to provide grounds for the refusal?

Just say there have been 3 viewings, and unfortunately you can only offer one of the interested parties a tenancy, and that means you have to disappoint 2 of the 3 interested parties. So unfortunately, we cannot offer this property to you at this time.

or something on those lines.

[thesaint]

Drug dealers do not get a wage slip from their bosses.
Bank statements are not proof of income.

[dominic]

Saint, I don't think the OP is saying they are defninitely drug dealers, only that something doesn't feel right.

And when that happens, best to trust your instincts, and not stress over whether they are or are not criminals.

[Ericthelobster]

Just say there have been 3 viewings, and unfortunately you can only offer one of the interested parties a tenancy, and that means you have to disappoint 2 of the 3 interested parties. So unfortunately, we cannot offer this property to you at this time.Only works if you do have another interested party, who takes up the tenancy... bit embarrassing when the original tenant comes back to you a week after you've turned him down, because you're still advertising the property.

Getting caught in a lie is much worse than simply saying 'no, sorry'.

[Lawcruncher]

My question is, How do I refuse these guys? Do I need to provide grounds for the refusal?

No. Simply looking dodgy is not covered by any discrimination legislation. If they were holding hands you would have a problem.


“I don’t like the look of you (look like drug dealers) & the money you are both earning makes me suspect you are drug dealers” wont go down to well.

How about: "Your bank statements appear to show you are in receipt of sufficient income, however we need to be satisfied that this will continue."

Question: Did you think they look dodgy when you first saw them and seeing the bank statements confirmed it, or were your suspicions aroused when the bank statements were produced?

[Louis252]

Didn't like look of them from the start tracksuit wearing scallys to be blunt!

[Poppy35]

just tell them the owner would prefer a couple and is not happy with 2 male sharers.

I agree with Erics comments about not telling them its been let to another tenant as you will in the same situation in a few weeks time and have to think of another excuse.

[Wickerman]

just tell them the owner would prefer a couple and is not happy with 2 male sharers.

I agree with Erics comments about not telling them its been let to another tenant as you will in the same situation in a few weeks time and have to think of another excuse.

That has a far greater chance of backfiring- just say they did not meet the landlords criteria regarding proof of income and leave it at that.