Why do experienced landlords who know how to screen tenants still get bad ones?
They understand the rental housing industry, have a system of tenant screening, have a good rental application, have access to get credit reports, charge screening fees, and more, but for some reason still find themselves in eviction court! Why?
In order to secure a good tenant for your rental, it is critical that we practice proper tenant screening, but it is also important to understand some of the Secret Facts of Tenant Screening.
What Are "5 Secret Facts of Tenant Screening?"
Fact # 1:You are screening ALL the time!Most people think that tenant screening is a quick little investigation starting with a rental application and ending with an approved credit check. Not true! A full screening begins at the point of First Contact when the tenant first responds to your rental ad. It continues through the showing process, the application process, the verification process and the review process all the way through to the very end of the lease signing process. At any time during this entire period, a landlord may find a reason to disqualify a prospect.
Fact # 2: All tenants feel they deserve as much as they can get from you.
That doesn't make them a bad person. It's just business and understandable, so always keep that in mind and try to remember that in order to have a happy tenant who stays and respects you and your property, you must provide them with a quality rental they are happy to keep paying for each month. A good deal. Oh, and because you're a good person, try to keep your charitable instincts under control. (As much as possible. Remember, this is business.)
Fact # 3: You can count on predictable responses during the screening process.
I usually try to get prospective tenants to show their "true colors" as early as possible. This is an enlightening and time saving practice, whether it is positive or negative.
By mentioning that a credit check is required or that the management reports rent payments to the credit bureau, you may get an idea of how the prospect feels towards his or her credit. For example, sometimes asking for pay stubs or tax records can ruffle feathers or not.
Fact # 4: There are 3 factors in every rental negotiation
- Power or Leverage Who has the power? Who needs to rent fast or who needs a tenant fast? Do you have something the prospect can't find anywhere else?
- Information / Knowledge Know who and what you are dealing with can determine whether you have a successful rental or not. You must know what is in your lease agreement and what your prospective tenants can handle, and if they will earnestly be able to perform what is agreed.
- Time If you are in a rush to rent, you may not be able to stand firm on your price. This is an important negotiating factor. One month either way equals a month of rent either in your pocket or not in your pocket.
Fact # 5: There are 4 factors in every tenant approval About the author: More information on The Landlord Protection Agency is available at www.theLPA.com
An uncooperative applicant is a MAJOR red flag!
As a Real Estate broker / investor in New York, John Nuzzolese has been involved with rentals and investment property since 1979. Besides owning and operating two real estate businesses, he is president and founder of The Landlord Protection Agency, Inc. , an organization specializing in helping landlords and property managers avoid the hurdles and pitfalls and expensive blunders common when dealing with tenants.
Copyright © 2013 The Landlord Protection Agency, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Giving house on rent is not an easy job. There are so many problems with tenants. They don’t pay the rent on time and many other issues.
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This is so interesting to know. I am just looking at it from a tenant side of things because I have always been curious about how landlords view many situations that can occur. I am always just trying to stay on mine's good side. He is usually pretty fair but sometimes he kind of loses it in my honest opinion.
ReplyDeleteJanice @ Houserie Inc.
While I have never been a landlord myself, I have been a tenant. While I like to think that my wife and I are great tenants, we have seen our fair share of bad neighbors. I feel sorry for landlords that get bad tenants, that destroy their property. I am thinking of buying a duplex; this list will help me.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree, most problems a landlord faces with his/her tenants can be eliminated through a good screening process. You mentioned almost all steps of renters verification, however, I don’t see interview in your list. Personal conversation can tell landlord a lot about applicant. So, homeowners need to ask these questions https://rentberry.com/blog/potential-tenant-interview and listen to the answers, however, as these can surface some scary red flags. Be wary of tenants who complain about their current living situation as bad tenants often bring their problems with them.
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