Having a good tenant gives
landlords comfort that the rent will be paid on time and the property will
remain relatively undamaged. On the
other hand, having a bad tenant can cause trouble not just to one’s property,
but also to the entire community. However, during the initial walk-throughs,
most prospective tenants would act like the best tenant in the world. It is
important to thoroughly screen every prospective tenant before allowing them to
sign a lease agreement. The landlord may do the background checking of
applicants himself, or he can hire a good online agency that can help him do
such things as running a tenant creditcheck or a thorough background checking.
However, some landlords find
hiring someone to do the job for him costly. The following gives landlords idea
on how to check their tenant’s background.
Request an Application. Begin by asking the prospective tenant to
fill-up an application. You may create your own personalized form or you can get
a sample from your local real estate association. The information in the
application should cover everything that you need to know about the tenant.
Ideally, it cover the prospective tenant’s personal information, employment
information as well as financial information. It should also be clearly stated
in the application that the prospect authorizes you to run a tenant credit check, criminal history
report, background check and the like, will be done.
Invite for an Interview. You may invite the prospect for an
interview. This will give you a chance to observe his appearance. An unkempt
appearance would most likely be a tell-tale sign that he will have an unkempt
living space. If the prospect has a vehicle, take note if it appears clean and
well-maintain as this would give an indication how he will maintain his living
space. Pay attention to his behavior s his initial behavior will most likely
indicate his potential behavior in the future. During the interview, you may
ask the tenant salient information such as why he want to move or how many
people will move to the rental unit. Perhaps you may also want to know if the
prospect have pets or if there are any smokers, as there may be restrictions
imposed on your rental property.
Verify the Information. It is essential to verify the information
given by the prospective tenant during interview and on the application form.
You may contact any personal references that the prospect provided in his
application to give you an idea about the prospect’s reliability and character.
It is also good to contact the tenant’s previous and current employers listed
in the application. Former landlord will also give you important information
regarding any issues with the prospective tenant. To help you with the more
complex steps like verifying the prospect’s credit history or criminal record,
it is best to hire an established background checking company.
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