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1 February 2026 • RentNowBrunei
Getting your property rented out quickly is great, but handing the keys to the wrong person can lead to missed payments, property damage, and a very stressful few months trying to sort things out. A proper tenant background check takes a bit of time upfront, but it protects your property, your income, and your peace of mind for the entire tenancy. Here is how to do it right.
Before you look into anything, and that means anything, you need written permission from the prospective tenant. This applies to checking their credit details, contacting previous landlords, verifying employment, or reviewing any personal background information.
Written consent protects you legally and sets the right tone for the relationship. It also tells you something about the person right away. A tenant who has nothing to hide will sign without hesitation. If someone pushes back or gets uncomfortable about a basic consent form, that itself is something worth noting.
Never run checks on a prospective tenant without written consent first. It is not just good practice, it is the respectful and responsible way to handle someone's personal information.
This one sounds obvious, but it is skipped more often than you would think. Ask to see the tenant's Brunei IC or passport and check that the name matches everything else they have given you. Their application form, the documents they submit, and the identity they present in person should all line up cleanly.
If there are any inconsistencies, even small ones like a middle name missing or a slightly different spelling, ask about it directly. Genuine tenants will have a straightforward explanation. Inconsistencies that cannot be easily explained are a reason to pause.
A tenant who cannot comfortably afford the rent is a risk, no matter how likeable they are in person. Ask for proof of income or employment. This could be recent payslips, a letter from their employer, or bank statements showing consistent monthly income.
As a general rule, monthly rent should not exceed a third of a tenant's take-home pay. If someone is stretching their budget just to afford your property, you are likely to run into payment issues further down the line. It is better to find this out now than after they have moved in.
Ask the tenant where they have lived before and for how long. Someone who has rented several places over the years and has a clear, consistent story is generally a good sign. Someone who is vague, has moved around a lot in short periods, or struggles to name a previous landlord is worth looking into further.
Always ask for the contact details of at least one previous landlord. Most genuine tenants will have this ready or be happy to provide it. If someone actively avoids giving you a previous landlord's number, that is a red flag worth taking seriously.
Once you have a previous landlord's contact, actually call them. Do not just send a message. A phone conversation gives you a much better feel for what the person is like and whether any hesitation in the answers is genuine or evasive. When you speak to them, ask three straightforward questions.
That last question is the most telling. A previous landlord who pauses, hedges, or says something like "it depends" is usually trying to be polite about a situation that did not go well. A landlord who says yes without hesitation is the answer you are hoping for.
Past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. How a tenant treated their previous rental tells you a lot more than how they present themselves in a 30-minute viewing.
It can feel awkward to ask for documents, make reference calls, and put someone through a process when they seem perfectly nice. But tenant screening is not about distrust. It is about being a responsible landlord. The checks protect your property, your rental income, and your own stress levels for the months and years ahead.
Careful screening upfront is far less painful than dealing with unpaid rent, property damage, or a difficult eviction process later. Verify everything, take your time with the decision, and rent with confidence.
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