ITC Check for a First Time Renter

[Defirence680]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to rent out a room close to where I currently stay (easier and faster to get to work). The landlord is needing to do an ITC Check, which is fine by me, there's some really old medical and vehicle debt I have on there but doesn't affect my monthly salary.

They gave me banking details to do an ITC Check, no mention of where or who they do it through, it's going to cost me R200, but before I transfer any money willy nilly, as I haven't even viewed the room yet, is it a normal thing to have to do when renting? I just don't want to pay this money out to them and they just run off with it. Are there any other questions I should ask or anything I should check before signing the lease? Rental noobie here so not really sure, and just want to be safe.

 

[TheChamp]

Yes it's normal, a safeguard for the landlord, no landlord wants to hear stories at month end.

 

[krycor]

It's normalish.. my estate also wants a criminal check done (weird.. but ok atleast i know no-one in estate has a criminal record).

They mainly look, credit wise, what your record is with payments and length of it, what your debt payments are vs income and if you have any bad credit payment, velocity of debt over last 12 months. The actual amount matters lesser than the monthly commitment to income ratio.

 

[livw88]

It's normalish.. my estate also wants a criminal check done (weird.. but ok atleast i know no-one in estate has a criminal record).

So no politicians living in your estate then?

 

[krycor]

So no politicians living in your estate then?

haha.. not this one nor the last one. although depends on who the primary person applying is (they usually check one person albeit spouse in rental lease).

I think i mentioned somewhere that my last estate had a policy whereby they 'evaluate' each potential tenant and reserve right to deny as they wanted to keep their community value. Suspect this happen when a couple started having swinging parties.. just prior to us moving to that estate. neighbours told us and we found lots of bottle caps in garden haha.

 

[tRoN]

If the landlords wants to do the ITC check then it is fine, but he/she must pay for it and not you.
Why are they asking you for R200?

 

[RandomGeek]

but before I transfer any money willy nilly, as I haven't even viewed the room yet, is it a normal thing to have to do when renting?

First check out the place; only then consider paying money for a credit check.

And if you found the place via Gumtree, activate your scam detector. Lots of flakey people there advertising accommodation

 

[deweyzeph]

The number one thing that a lot of people forget is to ask for is proof that the landlord actually owns the property. And don't hand over a cent until you have actually seen the room in person.

 

[zerocool2009]

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XDS (free report has scoring):
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Compuscan (have to pay for scoring, free report doesn't have scoring):

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[marco79]

If the landlords wants to do the ITC check then it is fine, but he/she must pay for it and not you.
Why are they asking you for R200?

I have seen tons of landlords requesting an application fee which includes the credit check. R200 is actually responsible.

 

[Tman*]

I use TPN.co.za for my tenants, did a credit check and a ID verification last month and I think it cost R59

As the landlord I carry this cost, becuase the peace of mind is for me.

 

[zerocool2009]

I have seen tons of landlords requesting an application fee which includes the credit check. R200 is actually responsible.

If have the tenants who is applying, I say here is the websites, its for FREE, get me one ... please

 

[Defirence680]

First check out the place; only then consider paying money for a credit check.

And if you found the place via Gumtree, activate your scam detector. Lots of flakey people there advertising accommodation

Oh yes for sure, I'm not paying a cent till I've seen it myself. The rent is pretty cheap and it looks like a decent size too. I don't mind paying the fee for the credit check, it's not a big loss at all. I'll gladly pay it to get away from where I live now.

 

[Defirence680]

The number one thing that a lot of people forget is to ask for is proof that the landlord actually owns the property. And don't hand over a cent until you have actually seen the room in person.

Thanks, would I be able to ask for this at any time or close to securing a lease? I just want to avoid any setbacks because I really gotta get out of my place I'm staying now, the people are getting way too toxic to live with for my mental health.