SMF - Just Installed!

Very keen tenant

Started by LaMon, December 19, 2019, 01:27:06 AM

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LaMon

Hi All,
I am a newbie here. I have been a LL for 4 years and so far so good, not too many issues.
Last week I put an add on Mudhut and had a mega response. One guy was so keen that wanted to take the house without seeing it. Well, I made him come to see it and bring some reference for Sunday viewing. 15/12. I checked his name on Google and he was listed as a director of 2 ltd comps. More about it later.
So he brought with him 4 months of bank statements in PDF on his laptop. He has a LTD company and pays himself a salary. 4-5K a month. He stated that he works for a bank as a financial crime consultant. The house would be for him, wife and a 1-year-old. 2 bed 2 bathrooms. Sunday evening I created an online contract that I signed electronically (what an idiot!) pending references! I stated and sent another message asking for further references; work, old landlords etc

He had the Equifax check done on Mudhut; score 299 out of 500 stating he needs a guarantor. So I asked for that and he sent me a picture of a passport, I said it's not good enough and emailed him a form to fill. He said it's too much on the form here is his address.  His accountant was going to call on Monday, didn't. I stated his guarantor needs a credit check. Tuesday he said he will pay the balance of the deposit and 1st months of rent, I said OK. But references are still not coming at all. So I asked the name of the law firm he is contracting with, then emailed them and had a reply, that although he is there they can't give a reference as he's on a temporary contract. I run an Experian background check asking him and guarantor to fill it, this is now Wednesday am. Not done.  His accountant sent an email apparently, none received.
What I have found online, one of the LTD companies that he is a director of is "Nature of business (SIC) 68310 - Real estate agencies" ie 68310 is for real estate agencies, in other words, are going to source properties for other people. Set up July 2019.
I see too many red flags and as none of the references is forthcoming. I told him the deal is off and I want to return his money as my insurance is going to be null and void and we can't proceed any further with this. Now I have him begging and almost crying, offering to pay 6 months rent, the wife calling and texting.  I think this might be a new scam praying on naive LL (ME!) to source properties then sublet them. Has anyone one had anything similar happen?
>:(

Hippogriff


spuds

you had a mega response , WHY are you still talking to this man , get someone you trust

LaMon

#3
Quote from: spuds on December 19, 2019, 07:41:56 AM
you had a mega response , WHY are you still talking to this man , get someone you trust

Because he seemed OK initially, being very keen and willing to pay things immediately and move this Saturday. Until the charade with referencing...I did sign electronically that contract on MH and that is annoying me as it cannot be deleted from there.  >:( I hope he doesn't try to be funny about it. I am also in possession of 2.7K of his money that I already asked to return.

I will message him later as I don't fancy listening to begging.

heavykarma

I would have stopped all dealings at the mention of guarantors being needed.Get the deposit back to him,and refuse to have further contact.Too eager can be most worrying.I would be wondering how he came to be such an expert on financial crime!


LaMon


LaMon

Plot thickens!  ::) He was begging me this morning trying to pay 6 months or even 1 year of rent in advance. That is 15K! 2-bed houses around here are around 300+K

His "accountant" finally managed to send some reference stating he earns 60K a month!. It's an obvious typo but I would expect the accountant to do better than that.
I have just phoned the bank to send his money back in full as I want nowt to do with him. It takes 2 days.

bloofox

You have a bad feeling about this and you're asking for unbiased advice..? I'd say there's something wrong and I think you'll regret ever letting this one in.. on that kind of earnings he can afford to rent anywhere so why would he be so distraught at losing your place..??

Give him his deposit back and try again with someone else... the instant rush derived from taking a tenant in is not worth the drama of having a wrong un' to get rid of..

LaMon

Quote from: bloofox on December 20, 2019, 05:40:26 AM
You have a bad feeling about this and you're asking for unbiased advice..? I'd say there's something wrong and I think you'll regret ever letting this one in.. on that kind of earnings he can afford to rent anywhere so why would he be so distraught at losing your place..??

Give him his deposit back and try again with someone else... the instant rush derived from taking a tenant in is not worth the drama of having a wrong un' to get rid of..

Not sure you read my last comment but he even offered 1 year of rent. His work can't offer reference as he is on a short contract  I had to find that out by emailing the law firm in London. I have asked the bank to send all his money back and I have learned my lesson as a lost another couple who wanted to take it mid-January. But hey ho live and learn and all that jazz...Will need all the reference in place before anything is done again.

LaMon

Wife sent another message "Hi, 
I am realy pained and still sad that you disappointed us this way after you assured us that the house is   all ours by saturday. My husband tried his best to provide all you asked us at every point and even promise to pay upfront just to assure you we wont disappoint and we are capable.  I pleaded with you to be patient with us and his accountant later sent all you ask yet we couldnt get it. 
I know this message wont change anything but i needed to express how i felt and how the whole thing distablized me after imagining i and my family in your property for our christmas.  Now my christmas has gone soar due to this. 
I wish something can still be done but if not, no problems
Sometimes life throws us lemon. 
Have a lovely day and a funfilled holiday."

I THINK I HAD A LUCKY ESCAPE!!!

Hippogriff

You've been such a Scrooge! Hang your head in shame...

heavykarma


bloofox

Massive Grinch trip in the post..! ;)