References and rental history can help you assess a prospective tenant before approving their application.
Depending on the information you're permitted to collect in your state or territory, you may be able to check:
- Previous rental history, including previous addresses and length of tenancy
- References from previous landlords or property managers
- Employment or income information provided as part of the application
- Other nominated references
- Tenancy database information, where appropriate
When contacting a previous landlord, property manager or referee, confirm who you're speaking with and focus your questions on relevant tenancy information.
Consider the information you obtain as part of your overall assessment of the application, rather than relying on a single reference or factor to make your decision.
Remember that rental applications contain personal information. Only collect information you're permitted to request, use it for the purpose for which it was collected, and handle it appropriately.
For an additional rental-history check, No Agent Property can assist with tenancy database checks, depending on your package or as an additional service.
See our How to Screen a Tenant Application and Tenancy Databases Explained guides for more information.