Tips on Finding Good Tenants

[missmanors]

If your are purchasing a single-family dwelling or a multi-family unit which will be rented out, here are some tips to help you ensure that you get good tenants, without having to hire someone else to manage the property for you.


When interviewing a prospective tenant:

Always ask the question, "Why are you moving?" If you don't get a straightforward answer to the question, or you hear a complaint about that person's current landlord, this could be a reason to second guess this person as a tenant.

Explain to all prospective tenants that you will be checking out their references, their credit history, and employment history. Ask them if there will be any problems with doing so. Don't interrupt their answer as silence can be your friend at this moment.

Always ask to see the prospective tenant's drivers license. Compare the picture to the applicant to be sure that picture is of the person applying, and the address is the same one on the application. This ensures that no one has hired a stand-in in order to get the rental.

A prospective tenant that declares a need for a rental immediately should set off a red flag to you. This is often a case of being recently evicted or that some personal problems that could get worse.

Make it clear that all persons that will occupy the rental must be present so that you can personally meet them. Make no exceptions to this rule.

Do your homework and personally call each landlord of the prospective tenant. When making the call, do not immediately tell the person who you are, and what you want, but ask "Do you have any apartments for rent?" If the person doesn't respond with an answer such as "Yes, I do have a rental", or "No, I don't have an available one right now" you are probably speaking with a friend or relative of your prospective tenant.

Be sure that you don't come over as a pushover at your meetings with prospective tenants. You want to be professional at these meetings and set a businesslike tone that will be a determining factor in any future relationship.


Here are a few tips about Lease Agreements:

This rental is your property, so be sure to set the rules. Attach a list of rules
that you expect all tenants to follow to the lease agreement, then have the tenant initial a copy for your own files. This could be a most valuable tool for any future problems.

Enforce your lease agreement. Use a "Notice to comply with lease agreement" form, putting a tenant on notice, if necessary.

It is important to explain to all adults on the lease, that they are equally responsible both jointly and separately for rent payments. If one of the adults moves out or looses their income, the remaining tenant will be responsible for payment of the rent in full. Explain this clearly to the tenants, adding the consequences of non-compliance. Then add this as part of the lease agreement. This can be an especially important fact with boyfriend/girlfriend renters.

How many occupants in the rental unit should always be stated on the lease agreement.


Maintaining you Rental:

To be sure, having a quality rental will get you quality renters. Be sure that any repairs are made promptly. You want your rent to be paid on time, and your tenant should be confident that they will get any necessary repairs done as quickly as possible.

Set up a yearly review to check for maintenance that needs to be done, such as painting, roof repair and the appearance of the rental. Having a well-maintained property will be extremely beneficial to you in the future, whether it be your desire to sell the property or for future prospective tenants' appeal. Your rental is a business, handle it as such.

These are some of the things that you should look for when doing your yearly review:

Check parking areas to see if they need any repairs, or a whole new surface.

Be sure that the gutters and downspouts are in good repair.

Does the lawn and any shrubbery need any attention?

Does the tenant have any trash or debris in the yard that needs hauled away? If so be sure that they do so promptly.

If there are any broken down vehicles on the property, be sure that this is also promptly remedied.

Do you see any improvements that you should make? If so make plans to make those improvements - updated rentals deserve to get higher rent.


Each year, conduct a walk-through of each unit. Notify your tenants in advance of the day and time you will be making a quick walk-through. (You can also add this as an addendum to your rental agreement so that the tenant is prepared for this.)

[JaredfromIndiana]

Good post. When I have rentals I am doing a criminal background check as well as pulling their credit. I am also calling old landlords. I am also getting at least 4 references, preferably family so that if I have to evict I know where to find them to go after them for money.

[homealone]

Great post here. Lots of very useful information. I am always surprised to see how some landlords dont bother to check references let alone anything else. I have seen some really horrible rental properties and I have wondered how do they think anyone would live here. If the landlords would just take to heart some of the steps you have listed,like forcing tenants to clean up the property, things would be better.

[missmanors]

Thanks Jared and homealone, glad you thought it was worth the read (I know it was kinda long, lol).

That's a good point Jared, sorry I didn't see that you posted it. Having a lot of references is a good idea, especially as you say, if they are from people that will know where to locate the renter if necessary.

[patricia]

ok, good tips for a landord..

but what about tenants....equal help please... how do you find a good landlord, lord knows there are many out there that do not take care of business...all they care about is getting paid, don't fix crap.

so what are the best signs to avoid a certain type of owner. besides the obvivous....place falling apart. lol

looking for a rent myself right now...so this may help me, more than you know!

thanks a bunch
pat

[missmanors]

Well Pat, you make a good point here, lol. I don't have a whole lot of information about this, but off the top of my head, I'd say to make a list of questions to ask a prospective landlord about. I mean whatever your particular concerns would be, like "when was the last time you raised the rent?", and "do you foresee any future raising of the rent in the near future?", "if I have a problem with a leaky faucet or toilet, how long will I normally have to wait to have it fixed?" After your interview with the prospective landlord, have all your questions put into writing, and signed.

Also ask for references from the landlord. Get several names and addresses, or phone numbers from him and then check them out. Also ask the neighbors in the area about any problems that they know of - many times they will have some useful information, if they've spoken to previous tenants that have had grievances about the property not being maintained properly.

I hope this helps!! I will try to find some further information for you on this subject.

[patricia]

miss mannors your a doll! thanks for the help and ideas. i also have a phobia of moving into a new place, no matter how nice it looks ,,just to find out that it has ...roaches,,critters..etc.. how would i check before hand to make sure this new place is critter free...are there signs..or things to look for ?

any ideas would be great.

thanks for your knowledge andtime

pat

[missmanors]

I would simply ask the landlord for this information........has the house been inspected for termites? Roaches? Mice? If he says yes, ask if you can see the paperwork regarding this issue. If it hasn't been inspected, ask him to have it done.

Hon, this landlord is going to be interviewing you...........it won't hurt for you to interview him as well. If he's a good landlord, he won't mind at all, and if he does mind, then you probably don't want to live in his rental at all!!


You are very welcome, sweetie, I sure hope this helps you in your quest to find a nice home.

[patricia]

thank you.

Its so nice that you care about helping people with these issues, you should have an ad in your local paper, like a dear abby! lolll

[missmanors]

ROFL, thanks hun........I think I'll stick with our little forum here tho