UK Landlord Forum / Life

It's my first time let my flat out. So I'm a bit nervous. 

I used an agent to find and in the future to manage the flat. The agent found an American who works in the UK on a good salary. Met her and seemed quite nice.

When I received her full tenant reference from the agent. I realised she was only 19 and her salary was 15k less than what agent told me, though it still enough for her to be classified as "moderate risk".

I googled her on the internet: nothing came back (which is a bit odd for me as nowadays everyone is on internet)! I called up her company and asked for her. But I was told no such a person work for the company.

She told me her partner would be transfered to his London office later this year to join her. However, on the reference, it shows her partner as unemployed!

When I raised my concerns with the agent, he got upset about me phoning the prospective tenant's company and also assured me that he has seen her payslip and bank statement. All seemed fine. Don't worry.

I'm so not sure what to do now....

Also, there was no previous landlord references as she stated she lived with friends and relatives.
HELP!!!!   ASAP

Personally I would refuse her, and question using the agent. One payslip? Incorrect income given. You called the company and got the answer you needed. What do you care if the agent is angry with you, I'd be angry with the agent.

Dont go there. I wouldnt touch her with a barge pole and would be looking for a new agent. We have learnt the hard way that despite the rubbish they tell you your agents are NOT working for you, they are working for THEMSELVES.

Not all but certainly ours just wants to get a tenant in quick so they can start getting their commission. Dont you love the way the deposit always pays off rent arrears (on which they earn a commission) before it covers any damages which they dont earn commission on. We have been given such rotten advise over the years, told tenants where respectable pillars of the community etc etc etc. Its mostly rubbish.

If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, then its a rat! Its just not worth what it could cost you in heartache and money if they are wrong and your assured of only one thing, they wont bee picking up the tab for lost rent and court fees