That sounds more defensible. On the sell-versus-let calculation, avoid letting the purchase value dominate simply because it is a large number. Compare the expected net rent with what selling would leave after transaction costs and consider the management burden and liquidity you want. For the...
I would prioritise verified ability to cover the rent, consistency across the application and how promptly requested information is supplied. References are supporting evidence, not a deciding vote; they can be uneven or difficult to verify. Apply the same written criteria in the same order to...