Tenant Screening Tips From Real Landlords

By E-Renter Tenant Screening
Posted on August 24, 2012 under Landlord Tips, Lease and Rental Agreements, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | Be the First to Comment

Most experienced landlords will tell you that tenant screening is the most important aspect of renting property. Failing to screen prospective tenants causes more problems than just about anything else. After all, each tenant is a potential liability to a landlord.

Thoroughly checking up on tenants’ identification, credit history, criminal background, work history and previous rental situations can give you a clear picture of the tenant you are about to trust to live with your property and among your other tenants.

Here are some basic tenant screening tips from real landlords:

1. Don’t skip the tenant screening process, no matter how nice or trustworthy a prospective tenant seems.
2. Treating each applicant equally will help you stay within the law. This is another good reason to screen every tenant.
3. Look at credit history, criminal history, evictions, judgments, bankruptcies and sex offender status.
4. Fake IDs are easy to buy or make, so check the applicant’s Social Security Number and identity to be sure they are who they say they are.
5. If the applicant is local, drive by their current address to see how they live. Is there a beater car parked in the yard? Garbage strewn about? Or is it neat and clean? How it looks is a good indicator of how they will treat your property.
6. Don’t judge a prospective tenant by his or her clothing, car or jewelry. A hard working, honest tenant could be dressed in dirty work clothes, while a flashy car and fancy watch could indicate someone who has plenty of money, or is simply living above his or her means.
7. Beware of tenants who want to move in fast and have plenty of cash to cover rent and the security deposit. Take your time and conduct your screening process.
8. Talk to previous landlords. If a tenant specifically asks you not to contact the current landlord, find out why, and talk to former landlords. Conduct the rest of your screening process and if the tenant is approved, let him or her know, and then contact the current landlord.
9. Don’t base your entire approval on the landlord’s reference. Some will be anxious to get rid of a bad tenant (and give a good reference). Others will be honest.
10. Take notice if the prospective tenant is late for appointments without apology or is unhappy about paying an application or screening fee.
11. Ask why they’re moving.

Using these tips, along with a professional tenant screening service, can help insure that you lease only to qualified tenants. Good luck!