Before renting to a tenant, there are a few ways to screen those who are interested in the property. It’s important to find out information about a tenant so that there is someone in the home who will keep it from getting destroyed and who will maintain a safe environment.
The first part of screening tenants is when an ad is placed that advertises the property. There will likely be people who are interested in viewing the property soon after the ad is placed in the newspaper or online. One way to maintain order while showing everyone the property is to create a schedule for when there will be someone there to show the home during the day and allow those who are interested to choose a time that is available. The ad that is placed should include the things that will attract good tenants and information that will help tenants make a decision about whether to seek more details about the property or not.
A list of questions for those interested in the property should be made beforehand. While a background check isn’t required for tenants, it’s a good idea to check references and other information in order to have someone who will pay the rent on time and who doesn’t have a lengthy history of getting in trouble in the home. Keep in mind that there are some questions that can’t be asked such as those about religion or race as well as the status of the family. There are also regulations set forth by the Fair Housing Act that allow certain things for tenants that a landlord might not be able to get past unless selecting another person to rent the home.
A credit check and a rental history are two pieces of information that can assist in choosing the best tenant for the home. These two pieces of information can give the landlord details about payments made on time as well as whether the tenant has the financial means to afford the rent each month. However, the tenant shouldn’t be judged because of issues that have come up in the past or the type of income that is received each month as long as it’s not obtained in an illegal manner. Sometimes, a landlord will have the best instincts about who to rent the property to when meeting the potential tenant in person.