Screen Smart: Your Roadmap to Reliable Tenants

Screening a tenant is crucial for finding someone reliable and responsible. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Application Form: Require all prospective tenants to fill out a rental application form. This should include personal information, employment history, rental history, and references.
2. Credit Check: Obtain a credit report to assess their financial responsibility. Look for factors like credit score, outstanding debts, and payment history.
3. Background Check: Conduct a background check. Make sure to comply with local laws regarding what you can consider.
4. Employment Verification: Contact their employer to verify their job status, income, and length of employment. Ideally, their rent should not exceed 30% of your monthly gross income.
5. Rental History: Contact previous landlords to inquire about their rental behavior. Ask about their payment history, cleanliness, and whether they left the property in good condition. Did they have any disputes with the landlords or neighbours.
6. References: Ask for personal or professional references and follow up with them to gain insights into the applicant’s character and reliability.
7. Interview: Consider having a face-to-face or virtual interview to gauge their personality and see if they would be a good fit for your property.
8. Fair Housing Compliance: Ensure your screening process complies with fair housing laws. Avoid discrimination based on race, gender, religion, etc.
9. Decision-Making: After collecting all information, weigh the pros and cons of each applicant. Look for red flags, but also consider the overall picture.
10. Lease Agreement: Once you choose a tenant, ensure they understand the lease terms, including rent payment, maintenance responsibilities, mandatory insurance requirements and house rules.

By following these steps, you can help to secure a trustworthy tenant who is on track to treating your property well.