Section 21 is gone.
The tenant you choose is the tenant you're committed to.
The landlord who picks the right tenant rarely needs a possession checklist. This framework gives you a repeatable, legally grounded screening process — from first enquiry to final decision — so you get it right before they move in.
Screen your next tenant properly
5 stages, scoring matrix, and applicant PDF report.
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Preview — what you'll get
The cost of getting your tenant selection wrong
Minimum cost of a defended Section 8 possession claim — legal fees, court costs, and lost rent during the process
Realistic timeline from first missed payment to vacant possession in a contested claim — during which rent rarely arrives
Section 21 notices available since 1 May 2026 — abolition under the Renters Rights Act 2026. Every eviction is now contested grounds only.
Alternative to Section 8 for possession. The tenant you let to today is the tenant you may be legally committed to for years.
Section 21 abolished 1 May 2026 under the Renters Rights Act 2026. All possession is now via Section 8 grounds only.
How it works
From first contact to signed tenancy
Work through all 5 stages
Start at Stage 1 and work sequentially. Stages save automatically — you can pause after a viewing and return before referencing.
Score and flag as you go
Each stage feeds your overall score. Red flag callouts appear when responses indicate risk. Right to Rent failure is an automatic stop — no override.
Get a clear decision
Stage 5 produces your final applicant verdict: Strong (25–30), Acceptable (18–24), Borderline (10–17), or Do Not Proceed. Export a PDF applicant report.
What's included
Five stages. One repeatable process.
Works for any applicant type — employed, self-employed, DSS, joint tenancies. All stages save locally. PDF applicant report exports in one click.
Stage 1 — Initial Enquiry Screening
Stage 1Six questions to ask before you even book a viewing — employment status, move-in date, who will live there, pets, and DSS position. Filter mismatches before you invest time.
Stage 2 — Viewing Assessment
Stage 2Structured first-impression scoring during the viewing — punctuality, communication, property care, and financial readiness. Scored 1–5 and saved to your profile.
Stage 3 — Right to Rent Verification
Stage 3Step-by-step document checklist covering all valid Right to Rent document types. Legal callout included: civil penalty up to £20,000 for non-compliance.
Stage 4 — Full Referencing
Stage 4Four sub-sections: affordability calculation (2.5× and 3× income), employment and income verification, previous landlord reference checks, and credit and background screening.
Stage 5 — Scoring Matrix & Decision
Stage 5Six-factor scoring matrix: first impression, affordability, employment, landlord reference, credit check, and Right to Rent. Maximum 30 points. Clear verdicts — Strong, Acceptable, Borderline, or Do Not Proceed.
Red Flag Identifier
Built-inAutomatic callouts when your responses trigger high-risk patterns — affordability failures, Right to Rent gaps, or referencing concerns. Section 21 no longer exists. The tenant you choose matters.
Why landlords use this
A process that holds up — before, during, and after the tenancy
- Stage 1 filters mismatches at enquiry — before you invest time in a viewing
- Stage 3 Right to Rent is legally required — civil penalty up to £20,000 for non-compliance
- Affordability check uses both the 2.5x and 3x income multipliers letting agents apply
- Scoring matrix produces a documented decision trail — important if a decision is ever challenged
- Right to Rent failure triggers an automatic do-not-proceed flag — regardless of other scores
- Updated for the Renters Rights Act 2026 — Section 21 context included throughout
"I used to trust gut instinct at viewings. This forced me to actually score things. I turned down a 'nice' applicant at Stage 2 who failed right to rent checks at Stage 3. Saved me a lot."
Private landlord— 4 properties, Leeds
"The affordability calc in Stage 4 is the bit I always used to do on the back of an envelope. Having it built in with both the 2.5x and 3x checks side by side made a difference."
Portfolio landlord— 11 properties, Liverpool
"The Right to Rent stage is the most useful part for me. I had no idea there were so many valid document types. The checklist means I actually verify properly now instead of guessing."
New landlord— Manchester
Great tenants are just the beginning.
HomeDash tracks compliance, manages key dates, and keeps a full audit trail for every property — so once you've found the right tenant, you stay on top of everything that follows.
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