Bad tenants are a huge problem. When you have good tenants in your rental property, everything runs so much more smoothly. Even if you think you are pretty good at detecting problem tenants and avoiding them, some can still get past the best screenings by the best or landlords or property managers . So, be cautious to not depend on your own first impressions of tenants and do the most thorough screening that you can.
Here are some helpful tips that may assist you as you try to avoid having any problem tenants move into your property.
Before you even consider a tenant, they should complete a rental application. The application should only be accepted if it is completed in full. Be careful to follow all Fair Housing laws to the letter. Any infractions could land you in hot water with a discrimination lawsuit. As a general rule, you are not permitted to deny anyone the ability to rent housing based on race, religion, family status, etc.
Be sure to verify the identity of any potential applicants with a photo identification. Be sure that any driver’s license number information is documented on the rental application. Take the time to copy the photo identification so that you have a record of this. Invest the time and small cost to obtain a background check. Failing to do so can lead you to possibly accept tenants that have criminal or bad financial histories. This can help you avoid tenants that have previously failed to pay rent or cause property damage.
A credit check is imperative. Before you do this, you do need to obtain permission from an applicant. Make this a standard part of your rental application, because you will need the Social Security number of the applicant to do so.
Obtain references from any applicant. Included in the references should be the previous landlord so that you can get an idea of what kind of tenant the applicant may be. If there was a problem, it may not have been reported to any authorities and may not show up on a routine credit report or background check. Character references, such as a boss, previous neighbor or other person associated with the applicant should be contacted as well. Never fail to contact the references!
Lastly, be sure to include a specific code of conduct in your rental application and your signed lease. The code of conduct should explicitly state expectations and consequences. This document should be signed and dated by both landlord and tenant.
Adhering to these guidelines will help you avoid many of the common problems that landlords and property management companies encounter.
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