For landlords, finding a good tenant is not just about filling a property quickly. It is about choosing someone who is financially suitable, reliable, respectful of the property and likely to maintain a positive tenancy.
In this guide, we explain what landlords should look for in a tenant, how to attract quality tenants, how tenant referencing works, and how working with an experienced letting agent can help you find the right tenant for your rental property.
What Makes a Good Tenant?
Firstly, it’s important to consider what qualities to look for in a good tenant. If you know the qualities to look out for, your chances of finding a good tenant will be higher. A good tenant is usually someone who can afford the rent, looks after the property, communicates clearly and follows the terms of the tenancy agreement.
For landlords, the key qualities to look for include reliability, financial stability, a good rental history, clear communication and a willingness to treat the property responsibly. A tenant who pays rent on time, reports maintenance issues promptly and plans to stay long term can make the whole tenancy easier to manage.
While no landlord can predict every outcome, a thorough tenant selection process can significantly reduce risk.
What Do Landlords Look for in a Tenant?
When choosing between prospective tenants, landlords and letting agents usually consider a combination of practical, financial and behavioural factors.
This includes whether the tenant can afford the monthly rent, whether they have a stable income, whether they have passed referencing checks, and whether they appear organised and reliable during the application process.
A tenant who arrives on time for viewings, provides information promptly and asks sensible questions about the property is often showing early signs of being responsible and engaged.
Decide Who Your Target Tenant Is
It’s important to consider who your target tenant is going to be. This can help you establish what you may need to do in the property to attract the type of tenant you’re looking for.
For instance, you may want to offer your property as furnished if you are looking to attract young professionals.
Think about whether you’re looking for a long-term or short-term tenant. If you’re looking to target longer term stability, then families or mature professionals may be the right choice.
How to Find Good Tenants
Finding good tenants starts before the property goes live. Landlords are more likely to attract reliable applicants when the property is well-presented, correctly priced and marketed to the right audience.
A strong tenant-finding process usually includes understanding your target tenant, preparing the property properly, marketing it effectively, completing tenant referencing and choosing applicants carefully rather than rushing into the first offer.
This is where an experienced letting agent can make a real difference. At Chancellors, our lettings teams help landlords market their property, manage enquiries, conduct viewings, support referencing and guide landlords through the application process.
1) Understand Your Target Tenant
Before marketing your rental property, it is worth thinking about who the property is most likely to appeal to.
A modern flat close to a train station may appeal to young professionals or commuters. A larger home near good schools may suit families. A furnished property may attract tenants relocating for work, while an unfurnished property may be better suited to longer-term renters with their own furniture.
Understanding your target tenant helps shape how the property is presented, priced and marketed.
2) Prepare Your Property Before Viewings
If you want to attract quality tenants, your property needs to make a strong first impression.
Before viewings begin, landlords should make sure maintenance issues are resolved, the property is clean and tidy, décor is fresh where possible and any furniture provided is in good condition. The exterior matters too, as kerb appeal can influence a tenant’s opinion before they even step inside.
A well-maintained property sends a clear message: the landlord takes the tenancy seriously. That can help attract tenants who are more likely to treat the property with the same level of care.
3) Market the Property Effectively
Effective marketing helps landlords reach a larger pool of suitable tenants.
Strong and clear photography, accurate descriptions, clear information about the property and visibility across major property portals all help generate interest. The more suitable applicants you attract, the better chance you have of choosing a tenant who is the right fit.
Chancellors advertises rental properties across leading property platforms and supports local visibility through established marketing channels. This helps landlords reach active tenants quickly and gives them a stronger pool of applicants to choose from.
4) Keep Your Property Clean, Tidy & In Working Order
If your property is vacant, you must make sure it’s tidy, clean and presentable as it will be an instant concern for any viewer if it isn’t.
This of course means making sure the inside of the property is clean, tidy and well-maintained. Recent refurbishments and redecorations are even more likely to attract a larger pool of good prospective tenants.
If the property is advertised as furnished, make sure that the furniture is good quality and that it is matching too. It goes without saying that you’ll need to make sure the boiler, gas, electrics and smoke alarms are all working as they should as this is a legal requirement.. Also, ensure that there are no issues with windows, doors, locks, taps, leaks, water pressure and temperature throughout the property.
What Questions Should Good Tenants Ask?
It’s often a very positive sign when prospective tenants ask detailed questions about the property and the local area.
Questions about heating, appliances, parking, council tax, transport links, schools, bin collections or broadband availability usually suggest the tenants are seriously considering whether the property suits their lifestyle.
Landlords should make sure their letting agent has accurate information about the property so they can answer these questions confidently during viewings rather than later, which may put the tenants off from putting in an offer.
Do They Have Good Tenant References and Credit Checks
Referencing is one of the most important stages in finding a good tenant. It's important that complete references are secured.
A thorough referencing process helps assess whether an applicant is financially suitable and likely to meet the responsibilities of the tenancy. This may include income checks, employment verification, credit history, previous landlord references and, where appropriate, open banking checks to verify income and rental payments.
If a reference is not perfect, this doesn’t always mean the tenant should be rejected immediately. In some cases, a guarantor may even be requested. However, landlords should take advice before proceeding so they fully understand the level of risk.
The Credit and financial checks will provide you with the information you need to determine whether the potential tenant will have the ability to pay the rent each month.
How Do Landlords Choose Between Tenants?
When more than one tenant applies for a property, landlords should avoid choosing based on instinct alone.
The strongest applicant is usually the one who combines affordability, reliable referencing, clear communication and suitability for the property. A tenant who wants a longer tenancy, understands the property and has provided information quickly may be more appealing than someone who appears uncertain or disorganised.
Your letting agent can help you compare applicants fairly and make a decision based on evidence rather than pressure.
Don’t Rush Into a Tenancy
It can be tempting to accept the first application, especially if the property is vacant. However, choosing the wrong tenant can lead to missed rent, disputes, damage, void periods or unnecessary stress.
If there are concerns during the application process, and even if all the referencing and checks are positive, it’s worth asking further questions before making a final decision. A short delay at the start can prevent much larger problems later, and save you more time, money and stress in the long run. Your agent will also guide you through their views on how the tenants have dealt with them in the application process to help give you as full a picture as possible.
That said, speed still matters. Good tenants often move quickly, so landlords should make sure their property is ready, pricing is realistic and decision-making is efficient.
How to Attract Long-Term Tenants
Finding a good tenant is only the first step. Ensuring they stay long term is just as important.
Good communication, prompt maintenance, fair treatment and professional management all help encourage tenants to stay longer. If tenants feel their concerns are taken seriously and repairs or other issues are dealt with properly, they're more likely to renew their tenancy.
A well-managed tenancy benefits both sides. Tenants enjoy stability, while landlords reduce void periods and avoid the cost and disruption of finding new tenants too often.
Think About What Modern Renters Want
Tenant expectations have changed. Many renters now look for practical features that suit modern living.
A dedicated home working space, good broadband, energy efficiency, secure storage, parking, outdoor space and pet-friendly terms can all make a property more attractive.
Where possible, landlords should avoid unnecessarily restricting the market. For example, tenants with settled pets may stay longer and treat the property responsibly when the tenancy agreement includes appropriate protections.
Make Your Property Stand Out
If your property isn’t particularly unique, then you need to ensure tenants feel more enticed to choose your property over others available in the area. You should be able to discuss this with your letting agents and take advantage of their additional available services which may tip the balance in your favour.
A good example is Deposit replacement where a tenant isn’t required to put down a cash deposit at the start of the tenancy. And for a tenant looking to spend money on making the property their home long term may be the reason they chose your property over another.
Market Your Property Properly
Getting your marketing right can ensure that you get your property advertised as widely as possible. Also, don’t forget the power of social media, which can be particularly beneficial if you are looking for young tenants and professionals.
At Chancellors, we advertise available rental properties on the likes of Zoopla, Rightmove, On the Market & Boomin. We also have wide ranging social media campaigns to ensure local visibility is as high as possible. We’ll also ensure that your property gets wide exposure, leading to a larger pool of potential good tenants to choose from.
Find out more about our lettings services here.
Why Use a Letting Agent to Find Tenants?
A letting agent can help landlords find tenants more efficiently and with less risk.
Experienced letting agents understand local rental demand, know how to market properties effectively and can guide applicants through the process professionally. They can also arrange viewings, support referencing, manage offers and help landlords make informed decisions.
At Chancellors, our lettings teams support landlords with tenant finding, property marketing, referencing and full property management services.
Keeping Good Tenants Once They Move In
Once a tenant has moved in, landlords should focus on maintaining a professional and positive relationship.
Clear communication is essential. Tenants should know who to contact in an emergency, how to report maintenance issues and what to expect during the tenancy.
Responding promptly to repairs is one of the best ways to keep good tenants. Maintenance issues are unavoidable, but dealing with them quickly shows tenants that their tenancy is valued.
If you’re happy with your tenant, it’s also worth making that clear when renewal discussions begin. Many tenants value stability and may be more likely to stay if they know the landlord would like them to remain.
Open and Friendly Communication
Keeping communication open between the tenant and the landlord and/or lettings agent is key in any tenancy.
Some of the things your agent will do to help with good communication include:
- Making your tenants aware of who to contact in an emergency
- Responding promptly to questions and concerns of tenants
- Keeping tenants updated with progress of any maintenance work
- Book tradespeople for work during the week rather than weekends
When managing a property your agent will also arrange inspections of the property to check in on your tenants. This will ensure they are seen to be maintaining the property but is also an opportunity for them to flag any issues or concerns so they can be resolved in time for any renewal discussion and will generally mean that they are more likely to stay at your property for longer.
Deal With Any Issues Quickly
It’s no secret that maintenance issues are an unavoidable part of renting out properties. Make sure you take care of any maintenance issues promptly, whether this is a broken washing machine, a leak or a broken lock. Work with your agent to respond quickly and ensure contractor orders are placed without delays.
Good communication and prompt action on maintenance issues is a way of demonstrating to good tenants that you value their tenancy.
Long-term, it also makes financial sense to deal with maintenance issues. Regular maintenance will help to ensure that costs are kept down when the time comes to bring the property up to standard when looking for new tenants.
Need Help Finding a Good Tenant?
Finding the right tenant takes preparation, marketing, referencing and careful decision-making.
Here at Chancellors we offer a range of services to landlords. This includes a full property management service, which means that we will market your property, screen potential tenants and find the perfect tenant to live in your property. We will also take care of all maintenance problems and other issues which may arise during the tenancy.
Enjoy full peace of mind, with our landlord services, designed to make your letting out experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. Trust our highly experienced lettings agents to manage your rental property with professionalism, knowledge and an unrivalled level of customer service for both tenants and landlords.
Did you know that we also offer a range of services to buyers, renters and sellers?
To find out more about how we can help you let out your property and our full range of services, please contact us today.
