Eviction Prevention Guide

Practical steps to avoid eviction situations before they start. Prevention is far cheaper than eviction.

Stage 1: Thorough Tenant Screening

✓ Verify Income BEFORE Tenancy Starts

Request 3 months of bank statements and payslips. Check that income covers rent by at least 30x annual rent rule (£12k monthly income for £400/month rent). This is the #1 eviction prevention tool.

💡 Use Forensic Scan: Our AI analyzes document authenticity, salary consistency, and affordability. Catches fake payslips and copy-paste errors early.

✓ Check Employment History

Verify with employer directly. Look for job stability (minimum 6 months in role). Ask: "Is this person still employed and in good standing?" Unstable employment = higher eviction risk.

✓ Run Credit & Right to Rent Checks

Use credit check services (Experian, Equifax) for payment history. Check Right to Rent status (passport/visa/BRP). Ensure full immigration compliance before tenancy starts.

✓ Get References from Previous Landlords

Contact 2-3 previous landlords. Ask specifically: "Did tenant pay rent on time?" "Any disputes?" "Would you re-let?" Red flags = previous evictions or arrears.

⚠️ Common Mistake: Rushing tenant selection to fill vacancy. Spending 2 weeks on proper vetting saves 6 months of eviction costs.

Stage 2: Crystal Clear Tenancy Agreement

✓ Use Legally Robust Template

Use England-specific (England vs Scotland vs Wales) tenancy agreement templates from NRLA or Landlord Law. Include: rent amount, payment date, deposit terms, break clauses, inventory condition.

✓ Specify Payment Terms Precisely

State: "Rent of £[amount] is due on the 1st of each month by 5pm to account [details]." Be explicit about late payment consequences, but avoid unfair contract terms.

✓ Deposit Protection Compliance

Protect ALL deposits with DPS, TDS, or MyDeposits within 30 days. Provide prescribed information in writing. Failure = tenant can claim 1-3x deposit in court (automatic loss of eviction case).

✓ Best Practice: Have tenant sign acknowledgment of agreement before move-in. Take photos/video of property condition. Document everything from day 1.

Stage 3: Proactive Property Management

✓ Monitor Rent Payments Weekly

Set a calendar reminder for payment due date. Check account by 5:30pm same day. If payment is late, this is your first warning sign. Act immediately—don't wait 2 weeks.

✓ Maintain Professional Communication

Send friendly rent reminders 5 days before due date. If late: send email + SMS same day with payment link. Keep ALL communications documented (WhatsApp, email, text). This proves you acted reasonably.

✓ Conduct Regular Inspections

Schedule 6-monthly (or 12-monthly) property inspections with 24-hour notice. Document any damage/neglect. Early detection of problems (mold, hoarding, damage) prevents disputes later.

✓ Stay Responsive to Maintenance

Fix urgent repairs within 48 hours (gas, electrics, water, heating). Responsive landlords = happier tenants. Neglected properties = tenant resentment = arrears + friction.

💡 Insight: 80% of evictions are preventable through early intervention. Payment is often late for a reason (job loss, illness). Check in kindly on day 3 of being late.

Stage 4: Early Intervention (Days 1-7 of Late Payment)

✓ Day 1-2: Friendly Reminder

"Hi [Tenant], noticed your rent payment didn't arrive today. Is there an issue with the transfer? Let me know how I can help." Tone is key—they might just have forgotten.

✓ Day 3-5: Check-In Call

Call tenant directly. Ask: "Everything OK? Any problems I should know about?" Many arrears are temporary (bonus delayed, unexpected expense). A payment plan might resolve it.

✓ Day 5-7: Formal Payment Notice

Send formal notice of arrears (email + recorded delivery). "Rent of £[X] remains unpaid as of [date]. Please clear this by [date + 5 days] to avoid further action." Keep professional.

✓ Day 8+: Escalate to Legal Route

If unpaid, contact your letting agent/solicitor. Consider county court judgment for debt recovery BEFORE eviction. Many tenants will pay rather than face court action.

⚠️ Critical Point: Jumping straight to eviction after one late payment often backfires. Courts expect landlords to have tried reasonable alternatives first. Early negotiation shows good faith.

The Math: Prevention vs. Eviction

✓ Prevention Cost
  • £100-200 vetting
  • £0 early intervention
  • 2 weeks of time
= £200 total
✗ Eviction Cost
  • £500-1,500 legal
  • £2,000-4,000 lost rent
  • 6+ months downtime
= £3,000+ total

Next Step: Verify Tenant Documents

Following this prevention guide protects you from 80% of eviction scenarios. But for the remaining risk, nothing beats forensic document verification.

ProperLet analyzes payslips, bank statements, and ID documents with AI-powered verification to catch:

Catches fraud that costs £3,000+ in eviction fees

Start Forensic Scan (Back to Main)