What can I ask for as a LL?

godtabh

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

Personally I’d ask for the previous LLs phone number, when you have picked your preferred applicant, give the LL a call before offering the lease, you’ll know if they are bluffing and the reference is made up. Be prepared for the onslaught of posters telling you have no right to ask for half of those things, and that under GDPR regs you could be in trouble for asking. But remember, it is your property and if some refuse, many will not.

godtabh

Dav010 wrote: »

Personally I’d ask for the previous LLs phone number. Be prepared for the onslaught of posters telling you have no right to ask for half of those things, and that under GDPR regs you could be in trouble for asking. But remember, it is your property and if some refuse, many will not.

The above list came from Threshold

https://www.threshold.ie/advice/seeking-private-rented-accommodation/what-information-can-a-landlord-request-from-me/

Vangoghslow

godtabh wrote: »

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

Vangoghslow

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

That is up to the LL to decide, personally I always ask for the equivalent of three months rent on signing, this equates to first month, last month and one month deposit.

Graham

Mod Note

Dav010 as you can't resist suggesting landlords can completely disregard data protection laws, do not post in this thread again.

Vangoghslow

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

No where near enough, one months rent is a pittance compared to the value of the property and will not go far in covering damage or lost rent.

Also if a person stands to lose a large deposit they may be less inclined to over hold, not pay rent, do damage etc.

Vangoghslow

Adriel Nutty Cowgirl wrote: »

No where near enough, one months rent is a pittance compared to the value of the property and will not go far in covering damage or lost rent.

Also if a person stands to lose a large deposit they may be less inclined to over hold, not pay rent, do damage etc.

i

The average monthly rent nationwide stood at €1,418 in the first quarter of 2020.
€1,418 X 3= €4,254

€4,254 upfront is too much.

godtabh

Vangoghslow wrote: »

i

The average monthly rent nationwide stood at €1,418 in the first quarter of 2020.
€1,418 X 3= €4,254

€4,254 upfront is too much.

Whats the median damage done by a tenant or cost of over holding? A fraction of that I'd guess.

Back on topic, I've reviewed the Data Commissioners guidelines on it personal data/renting and the above appears to fall into it when forming a contract/protecting personal assets but should only be asked if offering.

Vangoghslow

Vangoghslow wrote: »

i

The average monthly rent nationwide stood at €1,418 in the first quarter of 2020.
€1,418 X 3= €4,254

€4,254 upfront is too much.

If someone cant afford that upfront they wouldn't be a person I'd want renting a house of me as they would sooner or later be unable to afford the rent you can be almost certain.

Gumbo

Vangoghslow wrote: »

i

The average monthly rent nationwide stood at €1,418 in the first quarter of 2020.
€1,418 X 3= €4,254

€4,254 upfront is too much.

Those are the rules nowadays.
Realistically it’s about €6k upfront as rents closer to €2k in Dublin.

Manion

No deposit will be sufficient to cover serious property damage, the idea is that it's a deterrent. If you want protection you can look into something like Landlord insurance: https://www.zurich.ie/home-insurance/policy-documents/

There are a lot of dynamics to renting a property, a high deposit may move the bar and mean you'll loose otherwise good tenants. While demand is high, it is also true certain classes of tenant maybe more desirable than others and putting a bunch of barriers and obstacles in the way that just make the process hard not better. It might not work out. Some folks have the idea if they make the process really onerous they'll get the best candidates, but that's a fallacy, you'll get the most desperate not necessarily the people with other options.

In terms of Information, when I let out a property last year I found personal statements from the candidates very compelling and help a lot when making a decision.

*Not a recommendation or endorsement of Zurich, just a good link I found

Jambonjunior

I've never heard of 2 months deposit. Is that semi-normal now?

jimmycrackcorm

I'd ask for three months deposit. At least you'd know you won't be messed around but someone who is willing to provide that

Grolschevik

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

I'd ask for three months deposit. At least you'd know you won't be messed around but someone who is willing to provide that

Pretty sure someone like Nidge* would have no problem with that much up front in cash.

You can't tell the nature of a tenant by how much they have to hand. Could've gone to a loan shark to get it, even!

(*Pop culture crime drama reference...)

Grolschevik

Grolschevik wrote: »

Pretty sure someone like Nidge* would have no problem with that much up front in cash.

You can't tell the nature of a tenant by how much they have to hand. Could've gone to a loan shark to get it, even!

(*Pop culture crime drama reference...)

A cross reference with bank statements will help to show of the person has sufficient income.

Also Nidge kept his house very well, a high level criminal is likely to be a very good tenant as they won’t want to si1t where they eat.

Pkiernan

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

Lol!
Nowhere near enough.

MrMusician18

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

I'd ask for three months deposit. At least you'd know you won't be messed around but someone who is willing to provide that

Sure why not ask for the full year as a deposit, while you're at it.

6k down for the privilege of paying someone elses mortgage, ffs. Have to say I'm glad my last landlord was much more reasonable than many of the posters here.

godtabh

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Sure why not ask for the full year as a deposit, while you're at it.

6k down for the privilege of paying someone elses mortgage, ffs. Have to say I'm glad my last landlord was much more reasonable than many of the posters here.

Pay your own mortgage then.

Pkiernan

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Sure why not ask for the full year as a deposit, while you're at it.

6k down for the privilege of paying someone elses mortgage, ffs. Have to say I'm glad my last landlord was much more reasonable than many of the posters here.

Yawn...
You're last landlord didn't get sting by dead beat tenants. Good for him.

Graham

Mod Note

turn this thread into an anti-landlord / anti-tenant bashing session at your peril.

Gumbo

Jambonjunior wrote: »

I've never heard of 2 months deposit. Is that semi-normal now?

Yes. It’s very common now as the LL tries to protect against rogue tenants. It’s unfortunate as the good tenants have been tarred with the same brush just as the good LL’s have been tarred with the same brush.

Gumbo

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Sure why not ask for the full year as a deposit, while you're at it.

6k down for the privilege of paying someone elses mortgage, ffs. Have to say I'm glad my last landlord was much more reasonable than many of the posters here.

Your paying for a service.
The same way you pay a taxi fare, would you argue you are paying the taxi mans mortgage or car loan?

Like all services, if one particular one is not to your liking , you move to another one.

ted1

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

for a property no.
most tenants hold back last month so the landlord is left with nothing to cover repairs etc.

ELM327

You can ask for whatever you like. Of course, a prospective tenant is more likely to say no, depending on what you ask for. This may be the desired outcome!

(EG like asking for work references may weed out those on HAP, as you are not allowed directly state no HAP)

MrMusician18

<SNIP>

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

Why proof of residency if they have a passport and pps?

MrMusician18

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Indeed you are. So before you sit into the taxi do you hand over 3x the gate to the driver?

The problem with deposits is that a lot of landlords consider the deposit "their money" and spend it. When it comes to getting it back, they pull ever trick in the book to avoid handing it over, through charging for reasonable wear and tear.

Tenants also need to have a lot of faith in the landlord too. For someone who I have no prior professional relationship I would not be comfortable leaving €4k of mine in their custody for a year.

So don't move in then. It's their property ffs!

Pkiernan

To get back on track, the OPs list seems reasonable.

I am not sure legally where LLs stand on asking for proof of employment, as its can be viewed as an obvious end run around Social Welfare tenants.
I imagine it'll be outlawed.

Graham

Pkiernan wrote: »

I am not sure legally where LLs stand on asking for proof of employment, as its can be viewed as an obvious end run around Social Welfare tenants.

I'd suggest it's something a landlord would need to tread very carefully around.

ELM327

Pkiernan wrote: »

To get back on track, the OPs list seems reasonable.

I am not sure legally where LLs stand on asking for proof of employment, as its can be viewed as an obvious end run around Social Welfare tenants.
I imagine it'll be outlawed.

You could ask for employment or personal references and disregard anyone that doesnt provide employment references.


Technically not breaking any laws, while avoiding letting to HAP tenants.

mikemac2

A tenant can work full time while being on HAP

ELM327

They can, and those ones aren't the ones that people are trying to exclude whilst remaining within the letter of the law.

MrMusician18

godtabh wrote: »

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

Pkiernan wrote: »

To get back on track, the OPs list seems reasonable

I am not sure legally where LLs stand on asking for proof of employment, as its can be viewed as an obvious end run around Social Welfare tenants.
I imagine it'll be outlawed.

What? The OPs list is way OTT, total overkill

PPS No, fine. Needed by RTB,fair enough.
Reference from previous LL. No objection there.
Photo ID, not really sure it's needed since you have a PPS and reference but ok.
Reference from Current Employer... Hmm, thats stretching a bit here, why do you want this?
Residency, Does the OP plan on getting involved in immigration control. If no, then this is none of the LL business. Identity has been confirmed already.
Bank statements - looking for evidence to ability to pay/salary? Well have you not got an employers reference already for that? Pick one. Be prepared to receive a heavily redacted bank statement.
Payslips. Now here, you're taking the absolute piss. An employers reference, bank statements and payslips? How can you justify this amount of data collection? One of the above would suffice.
Deposit, 2 months. The final salt in the wound. Unbelievable.

Unless a landlord was offering a really sweet deal (and let's face it, those are rarer than hens teeth these days), I'd be telling you to take a hike with your personal information fishing expedition.

Pkiernan

MrMusician18 wrote: »

What? The OPs list is way OTT, total overkill

PPS No, fine. Needed by RTB,fair enough.
Reference from previous LL. No objection there.
Photo ID, not really sure it's needed since you have a PPS and reference but ok.
Reference from Current Employer... Hmm, thats stretching a bit here, why do you want this?
Residency, Does the OP plan on getting involved in immigration control. If no, then this is none of the LL business. Identity has been confirmed already.
Bank statements - looking for evidence to ability to pay/salary? Well have you not got an employers reference already for that? Pick one. Be prepared to receive a heavily redacted bank statement.
Payslips. Now here, you're taking the absolute piss. An employers reference, bank statements and payslips? How can you justify this amount of data collection? One of the above would suffice.
Deposit, 2 months. The final salt in the wound. Unbelievable.

Unless a landlord was offering a really sweet deal (and let's face it, those are rarer than hens teeth these days), I'd be telling you to take a hike with your personal information fishing expedition.

How would you propose to protect your investment if you were a landlord?
How does an employers reference prove ability to pay rent?

Try getting a mortgage, and see what a bank asks for!

I dont see why you saw the need to bring foul and uncivil language into this thread.

cml387

Just to note. An employer will only confirm that the person is employed there. They won't get a character reference

Thoie

godtabh wrote: »

Long term tenants are moving out. Apartment is in a RPZ but rent is in line with market rent.

I will be asking for the following

• PPS No. (this is required for the registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board)
• A reference from your previous landlord
• A reference from your current employer
• Photo I.D. such as a driving licence or passport
• Evidence of residency
• Recent bank statements
• Payslips
• Two months deposit in advance
• One months rent in advance

Anything else to be asked for? Anything to be recommended to ask for to screen interested parties? Not all the information above will be needed prior to a viewing.

Evidence of residency is the only odd one there for me. I'm an Irish citizen, so I presume my passport would cover that? If not, I'm not sure how else to prove it. If someone has a previous landlord, a bank account, payslips and an employer, how much more "resident" do you want them to be? Or does it mean something like utility bills from my last place?

MrMusician18

Pkiernan wrote: »

How would you propose to protect your investment if you were a landlord?
How does an employers reference prove ability to pay rent?

Try getting a mortgage, and see what a bank asks for!

I dont see why you saw the need to bring foul and uncivil language into this thread.

What does the employers reference prove then if not the ability to pay rent. Why ask for it if it's useless?

He's asking for the same information three times! Employers reference, bank statements and payslips. How can that kind of information gathering be justified? It doesn't tell the LL anything useful about the tenant, it just a load of extra hoops for the potential tenant. All it does is it reduces the pool of potential tenants to the wealthy, stupid and/or desperate.

The landlords files files would be a treasure chest of personal information, ideal for an identity thief.

Graham

MrMusician18 wrote: »

He's asking for the same information three times! Employers reference, bank statements and payslips.

At a guess

Employers reference - proof of employment
Payslips - proof of wage/means & confirmation of PPS/Employment
Bank Statement - confirmation of wage/means / previous rent / current address

I suspect most landlords would be happy with some of the items off the list rather than every item but I'm sure that varies.

Fol20

MrMusician18 wrote: »

What? The OPs list is way OTT, total overkill

PPS No, fine. Needed by RTB,fair enough.
Reference from previous LL. No objection there.
Photo ID, not really sure it's needed since you have a PPS and reference but ok.
Reference from Current Employer... Hmm, thats stretching a bit here, why do you want this?
Residency, Does the OP plan on getting involved in immigration control. If no, then this is none of the LL business. Identity has been confirmed already.
Bank statements - looking for evidence to ability to pay/salary? Well have you not got an employers reference already for that? Pick one. Be prepared to receive a heavily redacted bank statement.
Payslips. Now here, you're taking the absolute piss. An employers reference, bank statements and payslips? How can you justify this amount of data collection? One of the above would suffice.
Deposit, 2 months. The final salt in the wound. Unbelievable.

Unless a landlord was offering a really sweet deal (and let's face it, those are rarer than hens teeth these days), I'd be telling you to take a hike with your personal information fishing expedition.

Please tell me how you hope to get the house then as your attitude will not bode well in an interview with the ll.

Photo Id is to ensure you are who you say you are - we can use this to check for any disputes on the rtb.

Reference from employer/contract is to confirm affordability.

Residency can be applicable depending on nationality as you want someone that has at least a 1year pass if they are signing a 1 year contract.

Normally employment reference is enough but bank statements can be asked for if you have a tenant wanting to front load and offer 12mo the upfront. You want to check if it was built up gradually or did they just have a sudden amount deposited into their bank account which might be “suspicious”. Speaking from experience on this one but rarely ask for it so can be situational.

Payslips - again affordability - I have seen some people apply for accommodation where they are spending circa 50-75pc of their salary on rent and I’m wondering how can they afford this or what are they intending to do once I have handed over the keys and it will be painful to evict.

Deposit of 2 months is still below the norm in many countries. 3-6months is the norm in much better established renting countries with better protections for ll and tenants alike. 2months rent won’t go far depending on the damage a tenant can do to a property. It merely acts as a deterrent to weed out some bad apples and also provides for tenants with better affordability. If there was proper recourse where ll could legitimately reclaim whatever money a tenant owes be it in damage or rent arrears, I don’t think we would even need a deposit scheme. Would that not be a fairer system all round if that was the case. No deposit but ll will be able to 100 get the money off a tenant or government for hap?

Out of everything they ask for, a ll ref is a checkbox item where I want the document but I don’t even call them as I can’t trust the number they gave or if there are hidden motives for a glowing ll reference.

I’m interested to hear if you have actually rented recently because a lot of the above is the norm for good reason.

MrMusician18

Graham wrote: »

At a guess

Employers reference - proof of employment
Payslips - proof of wage/means & confirmation of PPS/Employment
Bank Statement - confirmation of wage/means / previous rent / current address

I suspect most landlords would be happy with some of the items off the list rather than every item but I'm sure that varies.

A bank statement covers all three, and that should be redacted to the minimum of pertinent information. There is no need for the other two, particularly if it's a means to discriminate against HAP tenants.
There is no reasonable requirement to provide two sources. It's a fishing expedition, nothing more.

.anon.

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

I've rented three different apartments within the greater Dublin area and I've never been asked for more than a month's rent as a deposit. It's the kind of thing that would set off all sorts of alarm bells. To be fair, I think most landlords are more reasonable than that.

Fol20

Thoie wrote: »

Evidence of residency is the only odd one there for me. I'm an Irish citizen, so I presume my passport would cover that? If not, I'm not sure how else to prove it. If someone has a previous landlord, a bank account, payslips and an employer, how much more "resident" do you want them to be? Or does it mean something like utility bills from my last place?

It’s not directed at Irish people but at foreign people living in Ireland. I have dealt with a lot of working foreign nationals on good wages coming from South America and Asia and I just want to ensure they have a valid visa. If your name is joe McCarthy or Mary o Sullivan, I think you have automatically passed the residency test

Manion

MrMusician18 wrote: »

A bank statement covers all three, and that should be redacted to the minimum of pertinent information. There is no need for the other two, particularly if it's a means to discriminate against HAP tenants.
There is no reasonable requirement to provide two sources. It's a fishing expedition, nothing more.

What nefarious ends do you suspect the landlord will put the information to? At the end of the data the tenant landlord relationship has to be built on a certain amount of trust.

TheChizler

I've skimmed the thread so it might have been pointed out already, but a lot of those things should only be taken and processed once you've selected a preferred tenant, they shouldn't be taken from every applicant as a matter of course.

Eric Cartman

Vangoghslow wrote: »

Surely one month's rent as a deposit is enough?

in some cases , like more expensive properties, yes. But in price bands where you're likely to get HAP applicants id keep 2 months, it'll make most of them not ask and then you can't be accused of discrimination.

Graham

Mod Note

off topic posts (and those quoting them) deleted.

MrMusician18, please read the previous mod note before posting again.

Do not reply to this post.

jimmycrackcorm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Sure why not ask for the full year as a deposit, while you're at it.

6k down for the privilege of paying someone elses mortgage, ffs. Have to say I'm glad my last landlord was much more reasonable than many of the posters here.

The law is totally in favour of tenants vs landlord's. I'm not a landlord, own my own home, but I dislike the simple fact that toilet hear about Cory cars where tenants are awarded money from landlord's and they will get that. But not a single case of a landlord getting any money off a disappearing tenant who has overheld, left unpaid tent and damages.

So as soon as there is a fairness to the system whereby a landlord can recover the money owed fairly sick as allowing for attachment orders then I'll happily day that three months rent up front is not needed.

Manion

Just to go back to the original topic. I think a contract of employment and employer reference was more useful than payslips and and bank statements is better for judging if someone will be able to pay their rent going forward as it more accurately establishes the nature of their relationship with their employer.

The J Stands for Jay

Dav010 wrote: »

That is up to the LL to decide, personally I always ask for the equivalent of three months rent on signing, this equates to first month, last month and one month deposit.

I think for 3 months rent, I'd be looking for the LL's ID and proof of ownership.

Pkiernan

MrMusician18 wrote: »

What does the employers reference prove then if not the ability to pay rent. Why ask for it if it's useless?

He's asking for the same information three times! Employers reference, bank statements and payslips. How can that kind of information gathering be justified? It doesn't tell the LL anything useful about the tenant, it just a load of extra hoops for the potential tenant. All it does is it reduces the pool of potential tenants to the wealthy, stupid and/or desperate.

The landlords files files would be a treasure chest of personal information, ideal for an identity thief.

How can you conflate a reference letter from an employer with the ability to reliably pay rent?
Reference letters don't state pay.

Like I said, try getting a mortgage lwith just an Employer Reference letter and see how far that gets you!

You seem to have a real anti landlord bias, so I'll be ignoring you from now on. Your posts are completely unhelpful to the OP.
All the best.