How to choose the right tenants for your property

How to Choose the Right Tenants for Your Property

At Armaani Estates, we know that finding the right tenants is the foundation of a successful rental experience. The right tenant respects your property, pays rent on time and stays long-term, helping you maximise your rental income with minimal hassle.

On the other hand, problematic tenants can lead to missed rent, damage, and costly disputes. That’s why Armaani Estates is committed to helping landlords like you carefully select tenants who will treat your property as their home.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to choosing tenants the Armaani way:

Why Tenant Screening is Essential for Armaani Estates Landlords

Your property is a valuable asset. At Armaani Estates, we treat it as if it were our own.

The right tenant protects your investment — avoiding late payments, complaints, and property issues.

Good tenants want a trustworthy landlord, too. When you respond quickly and professionally, you set the tone for a respectful relationship.

Our experienced Armaani Estates team vets every tenant thoroughly to give you peace of mind and a profitable rental.

Handling Tenant Enquiries: The Armaani Approach

First impressions matter.

We ensure every enquiry gets a prompt, friendly response, reflecting Armaani Estates’ professionalism and care.

This early contact helps build trust — the foundation of any successful tenancy.

Marketing Your Property and Setting the Rent

Good tenants start with good marketing. Clear, bright photographs, an accurate description and practical details such as parking, transport links, schools and local amenities help the right people enquire, and a clean, well-maintained property shows applicants that you take your responsibilities seriously.

We set the rent by comparing similar homes let nearby. A rent that is too high puts off good applicants, while one set well below the market can bring in more enquiries than can be properly assessed. Since 1 May 2026, any written advert or offer for a let in England must state a specific rent, and landlords and agents cannot invite, encourage or accept offers above it. Our guide on how much rent to charge explains how to price a let.

Armaani Estates Tenant Application Process

Renting your property is a big decision, so we help you ask the right questions:

• Does the tenant have steady employment or income?

• What’s their rental history like?

• Do they have strong references?

• Are they polite and respectful in communication?

• Do they smoke, or would they like to keep a pet? Since 1 May 2026, tenants can ask to keep a pet and you can only refuse with a valid reason.

Required Checks

We carry out all legally required checks. In England, this includes a Right to Rent check on every adult who will live in the property, made before the tenancy starts, using their original documents, a registered Digital Verification Service or the Home Office online check with a share code. The same check is made on every applicant, whatever their nationality, and renting to someone without the right to rent can lead to a fine of up to £20,000 per tenant.

Fair and Lawful Tenant Selection

Every applicant should be assessed against the same criteria: affordability, references, rental history and the legal checks above. Under the Equality Act 2010, you must not discriminate because of a protected characteristic such as race, religion or belief, disability or sex. Since 1 May 2026, it is also unlawful in England to refuse to let to someone simply because they receive benefits or have children.

Upfront payments are restricted too. You cannot ask for or accept rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, and after signing you can ask for no more than one month’s rent in advance. Tenants can also ask to keep a pet, and you can only refuse with a valid reason. Our guide to the 2026 tenant discrimination rules covers this in more detail.

Financial Screening: Credit & Income Checks

Armaani Estates runs credit checks (with tenant permission) to identify financial risks like bankruptcy or unpaid debts.

We also verify income with payslips, bank statements, or contracts — so you know tenants can reliably pay rent.

As a guide, many referencing companies look for a gross annual income of around 2.5 times the annual rent, or around 3 times the annual rent for a guarantor. For example, a home let at £745 a month (the Bradford average in August 2026, according to the ONS) would usually need a household income of about £22,350 a year. Referencing also looks at credit history, so treat this as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.

References That Matter

Previous landlord references give insight into how tenants treat their homes and pay rent.

We flag vague or incomplete references as potential warning signs.

Guarantors and Rent Guarantee Insurance

A guarantor agrees to pay the rent, and usually any other money owed under the tenancy, if the tenant does not. Guarantors are common for students, first-time renters and applicants who are new to their job or have a limited credit history, and they should be referenced in the same way as the tenant. A guarantee must be in writing and signed by the guarantor to be enforceable.

Some landlords also take out rent guarantee insurance, which can cover missed rent and, depending on the policy, the legal costs of recovering possession. Insurers set their own referencing requirements, so check the policy criteria before a let is agreed.

Interviewing Tenants the Armaani Way

We recommend asking key questions to understand tenants’ backgrounds and intentions:

• Why are you moving?

• When do you want to start the tenancy?

• How long have you lived at your current home?

• What will your previous landlord say about you?

• What’s your current income?

• How many people will live in the property?

• Do you have pets or smoke?

• Do you understand your responsibilities as a tenant?

Our agents have great experience spotting red flags and good tenants — we’re here to support you every step.

Making Your Decision

After gathering all info, trust your instincts and data:

• Is income steady?

• Are references solid?

• Does communication feel honest and polite?

• Any red flags or missing info?

If everything looks good, you’ve likely found a tenant who will look after your property and pay rent on time.

Once you have chosen a tenant, put the terms in writing. For new tenancies in England, landlords must give tenants written information about the key terms of the tenancy, usually in a written tenancy agreement that sets out the rent, when and how it is paid and who is responsible for what. If you take a deposit, it must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it, and the tenant must be given the prescribed information.

Need Help Finding Tenants?

What are the top factors for landlords?
Proof of income and landlord references.

How do I verify income?
Payslips, bank statements, contracts.

What credit score do landlords want?
No fixed score, but credit checks reveal financial reliability.

Can I reject tenants with previous evictions?
Yes, evictions are a significant red flag.

Are personal references allowed? Yes — from previous landlords or employers.

Can I refuse a tenant application? Yes, if the decision is based on legitimate factors such as affordability, references or rental history. You cannot refuse because of a protected characteristic, or because the applicant receives benefits or has children.

What is a guarantor? Someone, often a parent or close relative, who agrees in writing to pay the rent and other money owed under the tenancy if the tenant does not.

How can I reduce the risk of rent arrears? Thorough referencing, a realistic affordability check, a guarantor where needed, clear written terms and rent guarantee insurance all help. If rent does go unpaid, our guide on what to do when tenants stop paying rent sets out the steps.

Need Help Finding Tenants?