How to Tell When Lease Applicants Lie—or Hide the Truth

Posted by Teresa on July 18, 2013 under Screening and Background Checks, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screeningOut of any 10 lease applications, how many contain lies, omissions or truth-stretching? Unfortunately, many will. That’s why landlords and property managers can’t assume every applicant fills out an application truthfully. If you’re lucky, the majority will be hard-working, honest people who are simply looking for a great place to live. But can you count on every applicant to tell the truth? And how can you tell if they’re not?

Verify, verify, verify! It’s up to you to do the digging and reveal the truth.

The best way is to do that is through a thorough background check, which can reveal the following information:

  • Whether the applicant has ever used another name.
  • If the Social Security Number listed is valid.
  • Whether the applicant has declared bankruptcy, and when and where it was filed.
  • Any liens or judgments against the applicant.
  • Whether the previous addresses listed are accurate.
  • Any addresses the applicant omitted.
  • Whether the applicant is listed as a registered sex offender.
  • Any flags on any of the addresses listed by the applicant.

What’s more, a background check can also tell you whether you can be confident in accepting the applicant’s check.

Of course, you’ll need to do some verification on your own, including contacting and talking to the applicant’s previous landlords and current employer. Be sure to verify that you’re actually talking to the property owner and a representative of the employer. Look up names and phone numbers online, and compare them to what the applicant provided.

Why Check a Tenant’s Employment and Rental History?

Posted by Teresa on July 3, 2013 under Screening and Background Checks, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

online tenant screening, tenant prescreening, tenant background checkWe all know the importance of tenant screening. It provides benefits to you as well as to your other tenants, including:

  • Peace of mind
  • Safety
  • Quality tenants
  • Fewer evictions

While a tenant credit check will tell you whether an applicant meets your qualifications, and a tenant background check will inform you about an applicant’s criminal history, you should do a little more digging before signing that lease.

Every landlord should look at every prospective tenant’s current employment, employment history and rental history. Here are a few tips:

  1. Call the tenant’s current landlord, as well as at least one previous landlord. More is better. The current landlord might just be anxious to get rid of the tenant, so don’t accept a glowing report as the truth. But, if two or three previous landlords—who have nothing to lose—also say great things, you might have a gem of a tenant! On the contrary, if previous landlords say he was a problem tenant, but the current landlord says he’s great, it’s possible that he cleaned up his act, but can you be sure?
  2. Ask whether the applicant was current on rent, took care of the property, were courteous to the landlord and fellow tenants, and followed the rules of the lease.
  3. Check on the applicant’s current employment situation. Make sure you are talking to someone at the company who is authorized to verify employment. Often, applicants will provide the phone number to a friend or co-worker who is coached to give the right answers.
  4. Check to see if the actually applicant worked at the previous jobs listed on the application. Unless you check it out, you’ll never know if she has decided to stretch the truth or make up a job she never actually held.

When screening tenants, do a little digging of your own to provide a complete picture of each prospect. You’ll make a more informed decision about whom to accept as your new tenants!Related: estelle parsons husband, famous san francisco restaurants from the 1960s, 6th armored infantry regiment, cara mengatasi unexpected file format sketchup, jerry jones daughter photo, laura blair height, weight, fir na dli pronunciation, ssi restoration act 2021 will it pass, kaos london gangster, human characteristics of the midwest region, nhs porter jobs glasgow, most scenic route from phoenix to portland, address sky view dubai pool day pass, humphreys county ms obituaries, product extension merger,Related: squeaky sound when breathing out, romans 8:20 commentary, for more information please visit comma, renasant bank 24 hour customer service number, james hildreth walking dead, national emblem of france lily, my dog ate a white tail spider, how did teaching become a gendered career, legends of the fall ludlow ranch location, intellectual property violations in computing articles, advantages and disadvantages of sales presentation, daniel mccabe photographer, amir khan wedding venue, scott elrod days of our lives, pemaquid oyster festival 2022,Related: list of china owned companies in america, fred warner parents nationality, bluekai check my profile, hilton universal city executive floor, how to sharpen pixi eyeliner, taylor morrison ellsworth ranch, famous unethical speeches, phillips elementary school salem, ma, lloyd avery ii, uf medical school requirements, stefanie masotti married, lake thomas martinsburg, wv, ottawa university calendar 2022, las vegas airport arrivals, funny names for kfc,Related: 10 consequences of marrying an unbeliever, stalwart dungeons mod thunder strike, did la fitness get bought out by esporta, groundhog dragging back legs, uconn women’s basketball recruits for 2023, constructoras de casa en cape coral, what happened to the keno brothers on antiques roadshow, iowa falls newspaper obituaries, carl asplundh obituary, mohawk luxury vinyl plank, pillowtalk urban dictionary, southern shootout 2022, chavez funeral home obituaries, bexar county records search, judges sometimes complain that their sentencing choices are:,Related: ethos in pericles funeral oration, george page apartments pepperdine, how do humans affect condensation, real time with bill maher 2022 schedule, cash paid jobs in surrey, brian libman blackstone, how can dana protect herself in rufus time, will ryan fitzpatrick retire 2022, helicopter over chichester today, akc virtual obedience titles, summer winds cottages wellfleet, ma, glock full auto switch from austria, county jail mugshots texas, fisherville lake charles, why did unstoppable morgan go to jail,Related: western mass golf show, merlin fanfiction merlin jumps in front of arthur, ronaldo gives money to palestine, ny times endorsement for manhattan borough president, east carolina dean’s list spring 2021, kingswood manor care home liverpool, 19th century cow paintings, does the us have a base in ukraine, god’s eye cultural appropriation, what uniforms are the bills wearing tomorrow, , diy denture kit uk, pine tree country club membership cost, nancy pelosi wedding pictures, how old is jay park son,Related: rosetta restaurant mexico city menu, walton house sober living, when will croods 2 be on disney+ plus, partnership late filing penalty abatement letter sample, security forces training, southland times court news today, foxhills golf membership fees, charles gibson obituary near illinois, st patrick’s cathedral built by slaves, arlene litman husband, urban dictionary perverted words, car accident macon county il, who owned calvada productions, a nauseating job, but it must be done explanation, the night is dark and full of terrors shakespeare,Related: contra costa county public records divorce, marie henein sons, grier funeral home obituaries, thomas edison light bulb impact on society, sweet potato spinach and feta lasagne, henderson fine arts center schedule, emmaline henry cause of death, enamel jewelry manufacturers usa, intertek portable ice maker parts, banana pudding poem, dr judy markowitz, tim hortons demographic segmentation, bobby 49ers fear factor, en que capitulo descubren que patito es sherezada, barista course london,Related: jack tocco family tree, 60 day forecast for destin florida, northern paiute tribe facts, chicago anov violations, yamaha vx deluxe problems, princess patter enchanted princess, scion xb rear window dimensions, pawpaw boston terrier rescue, , ace combat 7 how to play dlc missions, o’hare terminal 5 parking lot d, how long does ucl take to give offers undergraduate, caroline paulus wedding, crystal methyd boyfriend harry, who is andrew stewart married to now,Related: travis county swimming pool regulations, what animals are the chowder characters, morgan stanley autonomous vehicles, charles schwab instant deposit, shakers nicky character profile, shadow of the tomb raider shotgun barrier locations, kent state baseball roster, faux chanel long pearl necklace, good cause statement for ccw san bernardino, prayers for waiting on medical test results, dhhs grant program 2022 application, book st neots recycling centre, john henton and kim coles, catholic sunday homilies, cold cases in miami, florida,Related: how to add shared mailbox in outlook desktop app, oakley catchers mask visor, the peddler’s clock, blues concerts in mississippi 2022, deaths in kansas city this week, murrah high school student jumps off bridge 2022, for each advancement cycle education service officers should retain, vegandale festival 2022, can you get a police escort in an emergency, steven assanti wife, stephanie sanger, securus digital mail center, byron morris obituary, python bullet point in string, printable herb chart for cooking, barons market lentil soup,Related: wireless bluetooth power amplifier system, snow depth tug hill ny, prix de l’euro square, journey of food from farm to plate ppt, veuve clicquot yellow label food pairing, pastor glenn plummer biography, shipwreck chest key grantebridge, knotless braids chicago, motorcycle parking rules nsw, hiram abiff jubela, jubelo, jubelum, 7 news spotlight melissa caddick, frank marshall related to penny marshall, for sale by owner king and queen county, va, blotchy face after crying, austin fatal car accident today,Related: doug kenney caddyshack press conference, marysville honda plant closing announced 2021, gian lucas bacci biografia, half spoon sugar syns, differentiate between appraisals and disciplinary processes, abbey funeral home dubbo funeral notices, why was there resentment toward mexican landowners in esperanza rising, townhouses for rent in kaysville, utah, jewish country clubs westchester, fujifilm diosynth salaries, why downsizing in retirement might be a terrible idea, how to become a real estate divorce specialist, hr 218 qualification course california, cargill sioux city bean bids, misfire at idle, but not under load,Related: rendez vous apple dix30, andrei konchalovsky children, why are kei cars illegal in australia, le comique dans lavare, quarterbacks from st louis high school hawaii, river lynne purple shampoo, nadiya hussain sweet potato quiche, shooting in statesboro ga last night, where was emma borden when her parents died, anne adams paintings strawberries, alligator attacks in texas statistics, accidentally took vitamin e before surgery, turkey club sandwich nutrition, box truck owner operator jobs non cdl, dellinger funeral home obituaries mount jackson virginia,Related: strategic formulation school of thought entrepreneurship, who does dan byrd look like, glasgow area code 737 location, princezam texture pack, j peters early bird menu, 1st brigade, 1st armored division, dr sherlock northern beaches hospital, jack thorne disability, themathsfactor times table check, giovanni quintella bezerra, tuscany candle ingredients, brimnes megaw lj, send keystrokes to background window, is it okay to eat expired instant noodles, first million dollar contract in nfl,Related: luxiclass travel jobs, hanys membership dues, mobile pet grooming essex county, nj, sun express manage my booking, lilith in first house, what did sacco and vanzetti do, what happened to michael james smith art school, 1970 camaro carbon fiber, merrill lynch lma account interest rate, sibley hospital food menu, harbor freight receipt lookup, leicester city shop opening times bank holiday, does pseudonymised data include names and addresses, michael sarno wife, homes for sale clifton park, ny,Related: july 16 zodiac compatibility, wool felt fabric by the yard, fatal accident warren county, nj, blairsden mansion owner, what does mobileye spinoff mean for intel shareholders, expedition leaders in sport examples, fair lawn high school athletic hall of fame, flare network launch date, roomba 600 series mapping, singular spectrum analysis python, home front radio 4 cast, pacifica police arrests, justice studies minor sjsu, list of ontario canada inmates, is barbara lewis still alive,Related: seplat ownership structure, can you play tiny town on ps4, austin 100 degree days by year, chuck liddell politics, usps fingerprinting philadelphia, how to contact george strait, ncl o’sheehan’s menu 2020, chorley new road accident today, bo2 redacted commands zombies, browning 27 nosler, prodigy accounts and passwords, unit test polly retry c#, ge profile vs bosch 800 series refrigerator, 5000 wheat pennies for sale near london, logos in act 2 of julius caesar,Related: alexander county, illinois land for sale, daymond john first wife yasmeen picture, are prince william county schools closed on monday, damon green caddie net worth, john mccarthy pastor, amie saunders frydenberg, virginia senate district map 2022, how to wash hair with stitches in head, disorderly conduct oregon, the lost coast erik larson, adventure capitalist calculator, maoz vegetarian menu calories, medford mugshots crime informer, victor oil seal cross reference, stop and shop go rewards digital coupons,

When Should Landlords Negotiate on Rent?

Posted by Teresa on June 28, 2013 under Lease and Rental Agreements, Rents and Deposits | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenantscreeningblog, tenant screening, background checkIn many areas of the country, rental vacancies are very low; some are at all-time lows. But that’s not the case in every market. If you’re a landlord or property manager with no available units for lease and a waiting list, you don’t need to worry about whether or not to negotiate the rent. But for those of you who have vacancies to fill, should you be considering it?

Here are some tips for knowing when it might pay to negotiate the rent:

When you’re in a renter’s market. When local economic conditions are such that vacancies are high and demand is low, that’s a renter’s market. Savvy tenants will read the signs: units staying vacant for months, several open units in the same complex or building, and landlords who seem anxious to get a lease signed.

Your tenants moved out months ago. If you have several empty apartment units, or your rental home has been empty for more than a month, it’s probably time to consider negotiating with prospective tenants. Losing a month’s rent for too long can be difficult to make up.

You don’t have other perks or amenities to offer. When attempting to attract new tenants, landlords often waive certain fees or pay for a tenant’s Internet service for several months. If you can’t offer other perks, then rent may be your only place to negotiate and bring a tenant to the table.

You have a high-quality applicant. When you have a tenant who meets your income requirements, passed your tenant screening with flying colors, has a steady job and gets rave reviews from former landlords, it might pay to negotiate on the rent. And if that applicant is willing to sign a long-term lease—such as two years—you might regret not reducing the rent if it’s a deal breaker.

Your unit is overpriced. If your tenant has done her homework, she’ll know what comparable units are going for in your area. If she can walk away and rent another place for less money, you might find it difficult to get a good tenant in your building without matching—or at least coming close to—comparable units.

And don’t forget that in negotiation, you also get to ask for what you want. For example, in exchange for lowering the rent, you might get your tenant to agree to pay before the first of the month, or to pay the first few months up front. You could ask for an 18- or 24-month lease. Or, you could ask the tenant to accelerate his move-in date.

What Does a Dream Lease Applicant Look Like?

Posted by Teresa on May 24, 2013 under Lease and Rental Agreements, Tenant Credit Checks, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screening, tenant background check

Okay, that’s a trick question. Why? Because your dream applicant shouldn’t “look like” anything in particular: not male, female, black, white, Asian, Catholic, Muslim, American, Russian or any other pre-determined profile. Using a prospective tenant’s race, color, religion, country of origin, gender, family status or disability to either approve or reject him or her for a lease is against the law, after all.

But there are several qualities that most landlords would probably agree make for a dream applicant:

  • She can afford the rent: Smart tenants know how much of their take-home salary should go to their rent, utilities, car payment and other bills each month. Dream tenants only apply for rental housing they can afford.
  • He has stable employment: A dream applicant is proud to present his employment history, because it shows he’s stable enough to hold down a job for longer than a month.
  • She doesn’t balk at the tenant screening process: These days, smart tenants know that they will probably undergo tenant screening. And they appreciate the fact that you care enough about who lives in your rental property to require background checks for all tenants.
  • He has a good credit history: The dream tenant has never been evicted, pays his bills on time and lives within his means. He’s not overextended on credit, is not going to have his car repossessed, and will most likely pay his rent on time each month. And, if his credit history is less than stellar, he has a co-signer lined up.
  • She has great references: When you call a dream applicant’s former landlords and personal references, they all say good things. And they’re not her friends, co-workers or parents who are pretending to be former landlords!

Remember not to judge a prospective tenant by anything other than their ability to pay the rent and security deposit, and pass a background and credit check. And if you’re lucky, you’ll land a dream applicant who becomes a dream tenant!

Start your tenant relationship off right by knowing who you’re leasing to. Protect your rental property and assets with tenant background checks. Proper tenant screening will ensure you are leasing to the best possible tenants.

When Tenants Want to Sublease

Posted by Teresa on March 10, 2013 under Lease and Rental Agreements, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screeningLandlords typically include language in the lease that prohibits subleasing without permission. But what exactly is subleasing, when and why would a tenant want to do it, and how should landlords proceed?

Subleasing is different from transferring a lease to another party. In the latter situation, another tenant takes over a current lease and the original tenant is absolved of any responsibility for its terms.

In subletting, the subtenant is granted the rights contained in a sublease, but the original tenant is still responsible for the terms of the original lease. In essence, the subtenant is renting from the original tenant, who is still bound by the contract with the landlord. For example, a subtenant is allowed to live in the unit but must pay rent. If they do not, the original tenant is still liable for the missed rent.

Tenants might be interested in subleasing if they are going away for an extended length of time, but wish to return to their apartment. It wouldn’t make sense to go to the trouble of subleasing for a trip of a few weeks. But if your tenant were planning on traveling through Europe or South America for three months, subleasing is a way to cover the rent without having to break the lease and start over when they return.

Tenants who are interested in subleasing may ask permission, even if the lease states you do not allow it. Remember, it’s always up to the landlord whether or not to allow the sublease. If you decide to allow a tenant to sublease your property, follow these tips for a more successful outcome:

  • Write up a Consent to Sublease agreement between yourself or your company and the two parties.
  • Include elements such as effective date, the tenant and subtenant’s names, the property address, and the monthly rent.
  • Be sure to state that the tenant is still responsible for his or her duties under the original lease.
  • If you decide to allow subleases, be sure to create a policy. Don’t let one tenant sublease, and forbid another from subleasing. This could lead to charges of discrimination.
  • Be sure your tenant also has a sublease agreement with the subtenant. This is a different document from your Consent to Sublease agreement, and covers the legalities between those two parties. If expectations are not made clear, you could find yourself stuck in the middle of their disagreements.
  • Keep in mind that if the subtenant damages the unit, leaves before the lease expires or breaks any other condition of the lease, you may hold the original tenant responsible. He or she can will have to get satisfaction from the subtenant.
  • Just as you screen all your prospective tenants before signing a lease, you should make it clear that any subtenants will also be required to undergo tenant screening.

Subleasing can be a hassle, but if you have good tenants whom you want to keep, allowing them to sublet while they’re away can make sense. Remember, it’s completely up to you!

Start your tenant relationship off right by knowing who you’re leasing to. Protect your rental property and assets with tenant background checks. Proper tenant screening will ensure you are leasing to the best possible tenants.

Roommate Agreements: Help Roommates be Better Tenants

Posted by Teresa on February 13, 2013 under Landlord Paperwork and Forms, Landlord Tips | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screening, tenant background checkAs the economic recovery slogs on, tenants continue to double- or triple-up in rental units. In many cases, landlords are not aware of roommate situations; in others, property managers approve one roommate, only to find out he moved out months ago and has been replaced by two others.

Tenants often think that once they sign a lease, they can have anyone they want move in to help pay the rent. For many reasons, this is a bad idea. First, landlords alone get to decide who lives in their properties. Second, tenants don’t always make the best choices in roommates. Third, it’s potentially dangerous to have unknown people living in your apartment building or single family rental house.

That’s why most landlords insist that everyone living in a unit must apply and be on the lease. The property owner may then conduct thorough tenant screening, check credit reports and verify employment and income.

Tenants may think it’s easier to just have a friend move in and hope the landlord doesn’t notice. But it’s actually better for tenants if the new roommate is vetted and approved. Who wants to find out a month or two into the new living arrangement that their roomie is actually unemployed, has poor credit or has a felony record?

Smart landlords will stipulate in the lease that no roommates are allowed without the permission of the owner, and that all residents of a unit must be on the lease. To facilitate good roommate relationships and establish legal responsibilities, you might want to provide tenants with a Roommate Agreement for all to sign and keep with the lease.

Roommate Agreements

  • Include language that each tenant/roommate is liable for all terms of the lease or rental agreement. Have your attorney review it before providing to your tenants.
  • Include things like the lease term, start date and lease renewal procedures.
  • Have a place for each roommate’s name, Social Security Number, and emergency contact.
  • List some roommate rules, stating which share of the rent and security deposit each is liable for, which rooms are designated shared and private, and how damages will be handled.
  • State the procedure for paying utilities: who gathers the funds and pays the bills, when the bills are due and consequences for late payments.
  • Cover parking, garbage and recycling, and other details.
  • Determine how guests will be handled, where they may stay and for how long.
  • Include guidelines for quiet hours, pets, cleaning, food and other details.

Putting agreements in black and white can go a long way to reducing tension and improving relationships between roommates. And helping your tenants have better roommate relationships can only be a good thing for you as a landlord or property manager.

Landlord Basics: Which Applicant Gets a Lease?

Posted by Teresa on February 7, 2013 under Rents and Deposits, Screening and Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screeningIf you’re like many landlords, you often have more than one qualified tenant wanting to sign a lease. Let’s assume you’ve already gone through your standard process: application, application fee, tenant background screening and tenant credit check, verifying employers and income, and checking references. Now you have two or more approved prospects, and only one vacant unit.

What do you do? Here are a few guidelines to help you decide:

  • Who wants to move in first? Each day your unit is empty, you’re losing money. We give extra points to the tenant whose move-in date comes first. How do you know? Hopefully, you’ve either had this conversation at some point in the process, or your lease application contains the question, “When do you want to move in?”.
  • Who has the security deposit and first month’s rent ready? Obviously, it’s a good thing to have all your prospective tenants ready to pay you rent and deposit, but this isn’t always the case. If any approved prospects need some time to come up with the money, move on. And cash is always nice. Let all your applicants know that you will continue accepting applications and showing the unit until the first month’s rent and security deposit are paid.
  • Don’t give in to your emotions. You may hear that a prospect can’t pay the security deposit until they move out of their current place. You may hear that they need a week or two to get the rent and deposit together, but they definitely want the unit. They might be nice people, and excellent tenants, but… don’t let them get the upper hand. Don’t forget that he or she may not get the deposit back for awhile, and may not get it all back. So they need to be able to come up with full rent and security deposit for you.
  • Be realistic. If a good prospect is looking at your vacancy on the 25th of the month, and want you to hold it until the 1st, it’s not likely you’ll have anyone else ready to move in before then. You can always ask for a deposit to hold the place, and convert it to the security deposit. Adjust your procedures when it makes good business sense.

Steer Potential Tenants Away From Scams

Posted by Teresa on November 28, 2012 under Landlord Tips | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screening, tenant credit checkYou may not realize it, but you could be facing competition from an unknown entity. All over the country, scam artists are posing as landlords of buildings they don’t even own and preying on unsuspecting would-be tenants. One elderly woman in Maryland lost $5,000 to con artists.

In a tight rental market, people are more anxious about finding affordable rental housing. Scammers take advantage of their desperation—and willingness to let their guard down—to steal thousands of dollars that victims think is going to pay rent and security deposits. Soon, they discover that the “landlord” to whom they handed over their money is nowhere to be found. Typically, they have little recourse for recovering their funds or getting justice. The phony landlords simply vanish into thin air.

Scammers like this affect everyone. Most tenants have limited funds for rent and security deposits—so, when that money is gone, it won’t be replaced for months. Legitimate landlords miss out on the chance to lease to new tenants, and the victims are left scrambling to secure new housing—or become homeless.

How can this scam happen? Con artists search for homes for sale or rent online, and copy the information and photos to create “For Rent” listings on Craigslist and other websites, using their own contact information. When someone inquires, they say they are relocating and need to immediately rent out their home. If the house is for sale, they tell interested parties to ignore the sign in the front yard—they’ll be taking it down soon. Some even find ways to change the locks on the house so they can show it to unsuspecting victims. Others tell tenants they will get the keys after the security deposit is received.

These con artists are creative and convincing. It might be hard to understand how anyone could fall for a scam like this, but they do. Maybe some of your tenant applicants have fallen for these scams. Or maybe they’re getting ready to. As a responsible landlord, you can help prevent these con artists from getting away with their schemes—and help your future tenants save money so they can rent from you!

First, check Craigslist in your area to see if any of your rental properties are showing up under phony listings. And, when showing your rental properties or talking to applicants, be sure to mention that there are scam artists out there. If they are considering other properties, let them know that they need to do their due diligence:

• If there is a For Sale sign out front, call the agent on the sign and ask if the home is for rent.

• Never mail a security deposit to a random address or PO Box if you haven’t met the landlord and determined that they do indeed own the property.

Check public records to see who owns the property.

• If the rent seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• If the “landlord” is in a hurry or pushing hard for a rent check or security deposit, something is probably wrong.

Going to a little extra effort could help stop these con artists from victimizing another innocent would-be tenant, so they can rent from you!

Thinking of Becoming a Landlord? Here Are Some Tips

Posted by Teresa on October 10, 2012 under Landlord Tips | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screening, tenant credit checkIf you’re thinking of joining the millions of real estate investors who either make a living or add to their income by leasing property, we’ve got some basic tips for you, suggested by our clients, or based on our own experiences.

Think about your goals: Do you want to secure your retirement by creating wealth or income-producing investments? Are you in it for the short term, or the long haul? Do you want to buy property locally, or wherever the deals and returns are the most favorable? How much time and effort are you willing to put into this venture? Do you want to be a hands-on or hands-off landlord?

  • Have a long-term view. Buying and flipping houses for profit is generally a thing of the past. Today’s real estate investors have a long-term plan for growing their portfolios slowly over time. They save money to build up a cash reserve, in case of emergencies. And they plan for making bigger improvements, such as painting, roof replacement and structural repairs.
  • Keep it local. Sure, there are bargains to be had in Arizona, Nevada and Florida, just to name a few areas. But unless you already live in these states, it will be difficult to manage your rental property. Hiring a property manager is viable option, but it will cut into your profit. Besides, there is nothing like being able to drive past your property to check on it.
  • Do the research. Find out the history of the property you’re interested in. Become familiar with the zoning laws in the town and neighborhood. Find out if there are any plans for development, road construction, or commercial building in the area around it. You don’t want to buy a property on a quiet street, only to find out that it’s been zoned for a strip mall.
  • Find out what the local rental market needs. If you invest in three-bedroom, single family homes, but the demand is for one-bedroom condos, you’ll have a problem.
  • Keep emotions out of the equation. Don’t fall in love with a rental property. Keep it strictly business. Figure out your costs, including mortgage payments, taxes, interest, upkeep, licensing, etc. Determine the market rent for the unit/s. And then determine if the asking price is a good deal. Don’t pay more than your monthly costs, or you’ll be losing money. That’s not the idea behind investing in real estate!
  • Screen every tenant applicant. We can’t stress enough the importance of tenant screening. Too many landlords have regretted the decision to skip this important part of the process. Conducting a background and credit check on a prospective tenant is the best way to protect yourself. Make sure you know as much as possible about the person you are renting to.

Disclaimer:
The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining financial advice applicable to your situation.

What to do About Tenants Who Sublet Without Authorization

Posted by Teresa on September 7, 2012 under Eviction, Landlord Paperwork and Forms, Lease and Rental Agreements, Tenant Screening & Background Checks | icon: commentBe the First to Comment

tenant screening, tenant credit check, background check landlords have faced one of these situations:

  • You’re doing a routine maintenance inspection and discover an occupant in the rental whom you’ve never seen before. You ask who he is and he replies, “Oh, I live here.”
  • You sign a lease with one tenant. A few months in, she mentions that the rent will be late because her roommate hasn’t paid her share yet. Roommate?
  • You live upstairs, your tenant lives downstairs. You notice he hasn’t been around lately, but someone else is clearly staying in the apartment. You ask questions and find out your tenant is away for three months, but he sublet the place to a friend.
  • Tenants who live next to one of your rental units call and complain about the three cars that are taking up all the available parking. You reply that only two people live in the unit, but they assure you that three people have been seen regularly coming in and out.

What’s going on? Most likely, your tenant has brought in a roommate or sublet part or all of your rental property to an additional person. If your lease agreement states that no subletting is allowed without your authorization, then the tenant is in violation of the terms of the lease.

The problem with subletting, or adding roommates without your knowledge, is that you have no idea who they are, where the work, if they’ve ever been evicted or convicted of a crime, or if their credit history meets your requirements. Without a chance to perform due diligence, including tenant screening and credit checks—the same tenant screening you do on all prospective tenants—you are at risk of liability for the actions of an unknown person. Plus, your property and business are at risk.

Why would tenants deliberately violate the terms of a lease?

  • Maybe they don’t thoroughly read the lease, or forgot what the lease said.
  • They may think you won’t catch them in the act, as long as they pay their rent on time.
  • Perhaps they think the lease terms don’t actually apply to them.
  • Or they simply cannot afford their apartment or house without a roommate.

In any of these cases, you likely have cause to send a cure or quit notice. Of course, check your local and state laws concerning eviction notices. You may want to send a reminder to all your tenants that subletting or adding roommates without your authorization is strictly prohibited. If they want roommates, they must undergo the same application and tenant screening process as everyone else. Explain that this is for the safety of all residents. Keep in mind that treating one group of people differently than others could put you at risk of discrimination charges, so make sure the same rules apply to all of your tenants. Finally, notify tenants that violations are grounds for eviction.

If you do agree to a sublease situation, be sure to put everything in writing. A sublease agreement should be signed by all parties and place in your tenant’s file.Related: which nrl player has won the most grand finals, michelle name puns, north andover high school shooting, crafton funeral home franklin, ky obituaries, why do organisms differ in their methods of reproduction, motion to substitute counsel immigration court sample, how old was jean kerr when she married joseph mccarthy, jefferson salvini randall, spring grove obituaries, sandlot baseball academy 12u, boarding school scholarships for troubled youth, interior lights won’t turn off ford focus, nationwide repossession companies, who is mary in verizon commercial, tiny homes reno nv,Related: annabeth chase actress 2022, how old was jacob when he wrestled with god, perfect plants guildford, social work goals and objectives examples for clients, fault lines in ohio earthquake map, 1 infinite loop charges, genevieve sailing yacht, heartless felons 2021, university of san diego rowing, snowflake connector vs sqlalchemy, rules for parents visiting classrooms, woodward avenue elementary, robert kiyosaki children, pyodbc get rows affected, scotland gangland news,Related: playdays the roundabout stop, buds gun shop death, what stock is jeff bezos and elon musk buying, abandoned places in oshawa, deming crime report for today, why ophelia couldn t leave the duke’s mansion novel, clanton advertiser marriages, harbor freight wire loom, is h2so3 amphoteric, accnt serv proc ebillpymts, sara maldonado trujillo se divorcia, don bosco wrestling tournament, accelerate bluetooth headphones instructions, west chester university football roster, stripes burrito company nutrition facts,Related: old sheldon church ruins wedding cost, what the hales coin pusher, jack carr literary agent, sneaky ways to get back at the other woman, city of reno parking enforcement phone number, delta v rings of saturn wiki, roush funeral home ravenswood, wv obituaries, devin walker molaghan onlyfans, an accounting of safety and health responsibilities should be answer, wml spbo, tenants in common unequal shares calculator, account recovery payment venmo, georgia lieutenant governor election 2022, wisely customer service, tik tok death video,Related: how to become a vision therapist in canada, dutchess county arrests 2020, okc energy fc player salaries, williamson county, tx residential building code, used mobile homes in maine to be moved, joseph williams jr obituary, new trier high school famous alumni, federal tax withholding percentage, heartland farms sweet potato and chicken wraps, repossessed houses for sale in huddersfield, sanford, maine police log october 2020, dori monson endorsements 2021, plano tackle box replacement latches, merchant services cold calling script, accident hillsborough, nj 2021,Related: east baton rouge parish inmate list, andy murray fourth child name, manchester police logs arrests, granjas en venta en homestead, whiting funeral home williamsburg, va obituaries, vintage ceramic soap dish, patrick dovigi wife name, is russ mitchell leaving wkyc, gold coast city council ceo email address, nicole chapman hawaii, quiet title adverse possession alabama, wichita east high school football coach, hull crown court listings, insight partners 2022 wso, mass shooting blytheville ar,Related: tiburon police lawsuit, used cami terra wind amphibious motorcoach for sale, mmat preferred shares payout, justification to convert contract staff to permanent staff, big league dreams fence distance, dropping an egg on the floor superstition, city of mesa building permits search, sig sauer p320 recall serial numbers, john’s pass accident today, new apartments rock quarry rd raleigh, nc, lawrenceton missouri waterfall, famous gamma phi betas, patricia blanchet husband, darlington house kinmel bay, how to reverse bad luck from walking under a ladder,Related: kenwood liquors stony island looted, houses for rent in grand junction, co craigslist, since the army’s civil affairs and psyops forces are comprised, jairos jiri children’s home, deloitte second job policy, abandoned missile silo map kansas, finance department swot analysis examples, troy construction palm springs, nhs pay rise 2022 when will it be paid, lorenzo aureolino bettencourt, 1989 st anthony’s basketball team roster, the links, incorporated lawsuit, jesse james keitel gender born, precepts of the catholic church baltimore catechism, why did aimee kelly leave wolfblood,Related: fidelis income guidelines 2021, expedition unknown producer nicole, cost of membership at skyline country club, black market bakers edgewater md, what is the difference between a 501c3 and a 501c7, countyline 25 ton log splitter ytl 016 919 parts, vital impact 10 gun safe instructions, twa flight 800 pilots last words, a career as a set designer requires what degree, honeywell aerospace phoenix, az address, renault cars models 1960, sunshine golden retrievers wisconsin, how to become a monster energy girl, manchester pacific gateway site plan, which zodiac sign has the most beautiful eyes,Related: bobcat 763 traction lock solenoid location, baldwin county school board meeting schedule, talbots july 2022 catalog, aurora legion baseball, animal tracks in snow with tail drag, shoe dept return policy no receipt, troodon mini in stock, his to claim the epilogue, souhaiter le bonheur en islam, copperhead black snake hybrid, macon transit authority holiday schedule 2021, aquarius moon celebrities male, white hexagon tile with black grout, muskingum county coroners office, pamela brown cnn religion,Related: palm springs bike tour 2022, umarex mp40 magazine repair, extra food stamps ohio, massachusetts foraging laws, charlie rowley special adviser, galveston ferry times, alex mendez reyes pitzer college death, hadith about not talking for three days, airbnb wedding venues missouri, aa route planner walking, what is pineapple and cranberry juice good for you sexually, how to change time lapse speed on iphone 13, san bernardino impounded vehicle, , akc beagle field trial results,Related: hyperbole for the garden is pretty, suge knight son grandmother, antero resources tyler county, wv, best sword in hypixel skyblock mid game, chromebook volume booster, mobile patrol orange county, ny, cherokee county, ga accident reports 2021, paul bangay partner, companies that donate reusable bags, why is chillicothe, ohio so dangerous, dodgers giveaway days 2022, costa georgiadis siblings, naveen pereira queens, welcome to plathville, accident route 14 gloucester, va yesterday,Related: cardboard letters for charcuterie, rooted juice undercover billionaire, how does family shape these three important institutions, 2018 ram 2500 bed caps, get a haircut and get a real job original, what county is brooklyn park md in, ang holy roman empire kontribusyon, meagan flaherty dcc obituary, integrity funeral home recent obituaries, who would win in a fight calculator, bergen county academies summer assignments, fort sanders health and fitness membership cost, what is the average payout for roundup lawsuit, knights of pythias vs masons, samsung odyssey g70a firmware update,Related: snowfall totals maine 2021, steven ben denoon 2020, michael baumann lakeville, pisces man and capricorn woman attraction, biscuit beignets in the air fryer, torrey pines walk up tee times, oro valley suncats softball, labette county court records, , obituaries lebanon, pa lebanon daily news obituaries, ouedkniss fluence 2016, match attax wert liste, largest private landowners in missouri, non russell group universities medicine, disney open casting call 2021,Related: impaired skin integrity as evidenced by, paul william ferrell west virginia, who is greg yao wrestling promoter, baton rouge obituaries, what is saint nadia the patron saint of, mobile homes for rent in st george, sc, burris thermal monocular, ucl email login, herbsaint vs pernod, cooper manning wife, religion anthropology quizlet, pillsbury family heirs, christian liaigre death, columbus ms high school football field, who are the leaders of the new apostolic reformation,Related: display html content in mvc view, cholla buds nutrition, lenny mclean funeral, does jea disconnect on weekends, accidentally put wrong info on background check, mesa county court docket for today, aquarius venus and scorpio venus compatibility, knitting retreats 2022 midwest, deer lodge, mt obituaries, st bonaventure prayer for bowel disorders, star citizen what do you lose on death, what was the population of nobles in mesopotamia, waffle wordle unlimited, craig kelly snowboarder daughter, section 8 houses for rent in greensboro, nc,Related: mini cooper s r53 scorpion exhaust, financial help for grandparents raising grandchildren in pa, death in jupiter, florida, two little red hens cheesecake recipe, maury regional java junction menu, san francisco deck setback requirements, list of clubs at uva, monica miller obituary, minot public schools salary schedule, crossville funeral home, erin riley obituary, northwood university deca scholarships, cineworld vip buffet, city of oxnard public works staff directory, hermano de vanessa bauche,Related: how to display seconds on windows 11 clock, stephen pollan net worth, shweta tripathi and pankaj tripathi related, al anon reading for today, recent arrests atascadero, chris lopez camila baby daddy, old fashioned chocolate cake with fudge icing, lakewood wa city council, how many chicken nuggets are consumed each year, tyler dunning update, green valley for sale by owner, how to use ames dm600 multimeter, sister knock knock jokes, 1998 lsu baseball roster, california hoa tree root damage,Related: advantages and disadvantages of interpretivist research, fish tank manufacturers in bangalore, classroom temperature law california, el paso times obituaries this week, a buyer representation agreement is bilateral, bruce weber, md anesthesiologist, tesco night premium hours, 1430 gerber bridge convention, north crowley high school news, what happens if you break a vow of silence, former wbrc reporters, man at arms: reforged what happened to matt, reedville, va millionaires row, extra large alarm clock, kval news roseburg oregon,Related: country club jobs for 16 year olds, cedar rose pickleball courts, cal berkeley baseball roster, mcdonald’s commercial script, atlas e missile site for sale topeka, kansas, iis express not working with ip address, how to invite parents to parentsquare, mason from kim of queens today, jen fundie fridays where is she from, who owns chris benoit house, dressy jumpsuits for petites, who’s been sentenced in corby, pea and asparagus risotto nigella, bureau of labor statistics turnover rate by industry, rowlett city council place map,Related: 1 million red heart emojis copy and paste, murders in nottingham 1970s, no active question for this presentation mentimeter, how to survive a panda bear attack, how to install mods on fivem single player, standing seam metal roof training, haupia cake liliha bakery, thunder falls buffet opening date, how to silence a deer feeder, port st lucie news car accident yesterday, 55 communities in tennessee for rent, for sale by owner knox county, tn, the big saturday show fox news cast today, kerastase forme fatale replacement, tornado in frisco, tx 2020,Related: dreher high school counseling, city of pewaukee police blotter, houston’s firehouse chili, how did fundamentalism affect society in the 1920s, eveready 24 hour plug in timer instructions, construction jobs st thomas usvi, can you pour concrete over a utility easement, tim hortons financial statements 2020, wrestlemania los angeles 2023 tickets, nipt said boy but it’s a girl, apartments that accept felons in dallas texas, justin torres heritage, jerk chicken pineapple bowl bahama breeze, does lovelyskin sell fake products, high end knit dresses,Related: pet friendly houses for rent in fairborn, ohio, anthony trimino net worth, applied materials cto office, vanguard delaware statutory trust, rent to own homes in pelion, sc, dr marilyn glenville quack, i dropped my dyson hair dryer, list of welsh international footballers, is cape honeysuckle toxic to cats, james hill obituary hailey idaho, how many calories in 1 single french fry, dyson hd08 vs hd03 difference, rifts bestiary pdf, stubhub billy joel madison square garden, asphalt metric street stock setup,Related: fox 13 tampa anchors leaving, did mapleshade’s kits go to starclan, alan autry house, devocionales poderosos, city debt clock, longest sudden death golf playoff, kelli stavast interview, hurricane katrina: superdome documentary, culturemapst2522 irving tx, lotz funeral home obituaries, pacman frog upside down, bill mcdonough musician, houses for rent in san fernando valley, puedo tomar xl3 si estoy lactando, church of england births and baptisms,Related: wrestling photo gallery, sotheby’s realty commission split, dewalt 4400 psi pressure washer manual, sentinelone control vs complete, rising sun, woolaston menu, tipton county most wanted, world kickboxing championship 2022, jewish obituaries atlanta, all cards in random order don’t reschedule anki, economic continuities of the mexican revolution, all shovel locations origins bo3, west wilkes high school football scores, how to call cellphone using pldt landline, richard burke obituary, tennis court “drainage”,Related: cast to void *’ from smaller integer type ‘int, horse property for sale in montrose colorado, ruth’s chris ultipro access code, lamont bentley funeral, harry potter fanfiction sirius finds out harry is a parseltongue, houses for rent in hillsboro, ohio, isaac the challenge playground comment, who plays emily in the ozempic commercial, cazadores paloma nutrition facts, monkey and tiger friendship compatibility, wellness retreat london, you can expect dangerous turbulence in mountain waves and:, holiday builders capri 4 floor plan, michael testani fairfield, ct, always home black full length mirror,Related: 5 importance of taking body measurements, greenhouse wedding venue michigan, lesson 10 2 algebraic representations of dilations, ahc achieve matrix login, where can i buy marzetti potato salad dressing, airbnb fresno tower district, raiden shogun quotes about eternity, jeju real estate agency, is carrigan chauvin anorexic, celebrating eid without loved ones quotes, izuku miruko internship fanfiction, josh jobe nfl draft scout, jefferson parking structure usc, famous hollywood restaurants 1980s, can you have chickens in clinton township mi,Related: 168 errors armageddon, georgia state basketball recruiting, tstc fall 2022 start date, joel diaz boxing gym location, uscis texas service center, magento 2 data patch add attribute, houses for rent in lexington, sc under $800, troll face copy and paste, 2022 bowman chrome baseball release date, matthew broderick illness, lafayette high school wildwood athletics, claire couvillion wedding registry, patrick mckenzie md net worth, , tony johnson obituary clovis nm,Related: samantha peszek husband, washington county police reports, springer mountain chicken recall, how to make him regret leaving you while pregnant, victoria quertermous gaetz wheelchair, mollie miles ken miles wife death, are banks open on patriots’ day 2021, can you carry a pocket knife in a casino, general manager salary country club, 3 day right of rescission florida real estate, knotless braids chicago, how do i use fenugreek to increase my breast size, ridgewood pool schedule, ann arbor mushroom dispensary, alexandra name puns,Related: rutgers ubhc staff directory, bail amounts by crime arizona, spanish funeral prayer cards, mark simone military service, how to change uber eats restaurant profile picture, amy blunt mosby, mechanical engineering jobs in oman for freshers, meeting hayden christensen, king charles spaniel breeders scotland, biotronik biomonitor mri safety, murrumbidgee river crocodiles, evolve gtr remote issues, penalty for riding unrestricted bike qld, how do i contact publix corporate, adams county circuit clerk warrant list,Related: tva rattrapage top modele, , used coin counting machines for sale, how to start my own acrylic powder line, bezos family foundation grant application, spring hill tn funeral home obituaries, map of us army bases in iraq, sugar hill lupine festival 2022, introducing a new doctor to the practice sample letter, orlando health team member connect, i am available tomorrow for interview, the galvin family documentary, jonathan kuminga vertical jump, lds missionary killed by companion, secco wine trader joe’s,Related: dave ramsey radio station dallas, 13821883d2d515dcf030ab818a111d66b9e6 kevin o’leary net worth 2022, pilot flying j employee handbook 2020, weaver curve head circumference calculator, wheeling university wrestling coach, does rfid blocking interfere with cell phone, cooper funeral home alexandria, ky, famous gangsters from kentucky, rock county jail roster, 1938 chevy for sale, gridlessness sarah age, is sourdough bread ok on slimming world, charlie ergen political party, novena prayer for the alcoholic to stop drinking alcohol, accident in burnsville, mn today,Related: center midfielder drills, shiny side up or down on aluminum foil smoking, sunjai williams baby father, sphynx cat rescue austin texas, kinetic energy of electron in bohr orbit formula, scfh to lpm, white clover tincture, breaking news tacoma police, mark angel net worth 2021, dixon trujillo age, what game do bakers like to play, marissa pick up line, johnson funeral home obituaries douglas georgia, mccoy funeral home obituaries palestine, texas, nieuw amsterdam cabins to avoid,Related: fairview park senior center newsletter, small pistol primers in stock now 2020, chilangos woodbury, tn menu, largest chicago private equity firms, can you drink coffee while taking xarelto, core concept of cecl model, pontefract castle tunnels, yeye osun white woman, marcellos pizza nutritional info, parc de maison mobile hollywood floride, edad de la esposa de nacho, classified staff appreciation week 2022, how to use google play points on iphone, mexican wedding lasso, matplotlib glyph missing from current font,