Welcome to our new HSPC feature where we catch up with our solicitor firms to give you valuable information and advice for everything property in the Highlands.

Sarah-Anne Gow is one of our lettings experts who has explained the process of a tenant application.

Once you have viewed a property and decide to apply for a tenancy you will firstly need to complete a tenant application form and provide your own
personal details and those of your Landlord, Employer, and Accountant (if applicable), in order that we can approach them for references.

The referencing process is used to determine the suitability of a tenant for a landlord’s property. Generally, we would reference everyone over the age of 18
who is going to be living in the property.

Along with your application form you may be asked to submit a credit reference. You can obtain this free of charge and online by using a credit reference company such as Experian or Clear Score. A credit reference is
information that provides details about an individual's past track record with credit. Credit references are used to help landlords determine a tenant's overall
creditworthiness.

For example, if a tenant's credit history indicates proper, timely payments on all financial obligations, a landlord may judge it more likely that the tenant will
meet the rent and make the rental payments in full and on time. Other information, such as public records i.e. being on the electoral roll also form part
of your credit report. Once a Credit Reference Agency has enough information on you, they will generate your credit report and calculate your credit score.

What is a good credit score? Typically, a score of 700 and above but, each Credit Reference Agency have their own underwriting guidelines. You may also be asked to provide a copy of your Passport or Driving Licence and copies
of your 3 most recent bank statements. We advise allowing three to five working days for referencing to be completed, although the timescale relies on
the speed of the reply from your chosen referees.

Once all of the above have been received, the landlord will be contacted, and a decision will be made by them on whether they wish to offer the tenancy to
you.

If the landlord deems your references to be unsuitable, they may ask that a guarantor be provided. A guarantor is someone who will take responsibility for a
tenant’s obligations if the tenant is unable to fulfil them, such as non-payment of rent. A guarantor will be subject to the same referencing process at the tenant.

In Scotland, any charges to the tenant relating to obtaining references are considered illegal premiums. If you are charged, you can request reimbursement.