The tenant vetting checklist
The checks worth doing before you hand over the keys, and how to do them fairly. Work through it on screen, or take the PDF with you to a viewing.
Take it with you
The full checklist as a one-page PDF. Free, and no email required.
Who they are
- ✓Confirm the applicant's name and contact details, and that you're dealing with the person who'll actually live there.
Can they afford it
- ✓Check the stated income against the job. Does the salary line up with the role?
- ✓Apply a simple affordability rule, so the rent sits comfortably within their net income.
- ✓Look for stable, current employment rather than a brand-new or about-to-end role.
Their track record
- ✓Ask for references from the current and previous landlord, and an employer. Then actually contact them.
- ✓Check the rental history: how long at each place, why they're leaving, and any unexplained gaps.
Does it add up
- ✓Read the whole application for consistency. Do the dates, the income and the story line up?
- ✓Note anything sparse or evasive, and ask about it before you decide.
Fair and legal
Judge the tenancy, never the person.
Decide on affordability, references, rental history, occupants and pets, which are all legitimate criteria. Under the Equal Status Acts, you must never let any of these ten grounds influence the decision:
gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or ethnic origin, membership of the Traveller community, or receipt of housing assistance such as HAP.
Run the whole checklist automatically.
RightTenantry analyses every applicant against these checks and ranks your shortlist fairly, never using a protected ground.
This is general information for Irish landlords, not legal or financial advice. The rules change, so check the current position with the RTB before you act.