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The TLA sense-check

Before you hand over the keys

A referencing PASS is valuable. It should not stop you noticing when the documents, contacts and wider story do not agree.

This is a practical sense-check, not an instruction to become a fraud investigator.

Verify information through appropriate, lawful routes and follow data-protection requirements. If something material does not add up, pause and seek professional guidance.

  1. 1

    Does the applicant's full name match across all documents?

  2. 2

    Are all names on the passport accounted for?

  3. 3

    Does the employer genuinely exist?

  4. 4

    Does the employer's website and history make sense?

  5. 5

    Is the employer contact independently verifiable?

  6. 6

    Does the email domain genuinely belong to the organisation?

  7. 7

    Do the payslip calculations add up?

  8. 8

    Is the tax code plausible for the stated salary?

  9. 9

    Do year-to-date pay and tax figures make sense?

  10. 10

    If self-employed, is appropriate HMRC or accounting evidence available?

  11. 11

    Was Open Banking offered or used where applicable?

  12. 12

    Does the financial information support the stated income?

  13. 13

    Has the landlord or referee been independently verified?

  14. 14

    Does the current address make sense?

  15. 15

    Does the applicant's stated history match the evidence?

  16. 16

    Is there unexplained pressure to complete extremely quickly?

  17. 17

    Is somebody else trying to control the process?

  18. 18

    Are there unexplained inconsistencies between documents?

  19. 19

    Does the applicant's lifestyle or story make sense against the claimed income?

  20. 20

    Overall: does the story add up?

The point

Don't ignore an obvious inconsistency because a computer says PASS.

Most applicants are genuine. This checklist simply helps you slow down, verify what matters and make a properly informed decision before the tenancy begins.

The information contained within TLA is intended for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Legislation, court procedures and insurance policies change regularly. You should always seek professional advice before taking action. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the content is accurate, TLA accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this information.