If you’ve ever owned a rental property, you probably know that finding good tenants is so imperative to a successful year-long lease. Many times landlords don’t even plan before meeting with tenants, it’s like somehow the tenant is interviewing the landlord… but that’s not the case. Follow a couple of steps and you are likely to find a qualified candidate that will make your rental experience so much more enjoyable.
Write the top things about your “ideal tenant” before showing it
This is so important because once you see people in person, your emotions take over. It is so hard to turn away a family of five that is having a hard time making ends meet– trust me. However, if you write down the top things that you for sure want in a renter, you can go back to those after you meet your potential tenants.
Make them fill out an application before showing the house
There are so many people who are just semi-curious about finding a new place to live, but they want to see as many places as possible. This can be draining for a landlord. Finding a tenant should be exciting and if you’re working around 15 peoples schedules, you’re already starting off on the wrong foot. Typically, landlords have to carve out several time slots in order to show tenants the property, and they never seem to be right in a row. If the tenant fills out the application first, you narrow your search down to the motivated renters. Then you will have 3-4 potentially great renters that are willing to take initiative before you show the property.
Listen closely to what they say when showing the rental
People will give you all the information you need, if you just ask and truly listen to what is said. You won’t even need to call on their references, because usually they will just tell you. Ask a few things that will get the information that you want, like 1) why are you leaving your previous home, 2) how long are you looking to stay in the rental for, and 3) is there anything we should know about your previous rental history? Then go back to your “ideal tenant” and make your best decision.
Do you have any advice for screening tenants? Leave your feedback here…
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