When it comes to rental properties, landlords and owners are faced with a variety of different issues when it comes to property management.

Besides handling standard maintenance concerns, they also have to worry about dealing with tenants and whether or not they’ll be able to collect rent on time.

Each year, thousands of landlords have to go through the process of evicting non-paying tenants. Between court and legal fees, the entire event can cost thousands of dollars. Not to mention, these issues can take months to resolve.

If you’re considering buying a rental property and managing tenants, then one of the most important jobs you’ll have is making sure you perform a good tenant screening.

To assist with this, we’ve come up with a list of 7 not-so-obvious ways to thoroughly screen tenants.

Here are 7 Ways To Screen Tenants

1. Check if the Applicant has an Eviction Record

One of the best ways for landlords to thoroughly screen tenants is to obtain an eviction history report. You can hire a third party service to do this for you, and they will provide info about their credit, criminal history and eviction records.

Alternatively, the most direct way to find this info is to check court records by finding your state’s website and searching for the tenants name. In order for a tenant to be evicted, a landlord has to file with the superior court where the tenant resides. While this may take some time to find, this information is public record so you should be able to find your answer.

2. Call Several Previous Landlords

One of the best ways to determine if a tenant is good tenant is to call several of their previous landlords. You will want to call more than one landlord if available, so that you can get several opinions of the tenant.

While one landlord might have raving reviews of the tenant, another may have horror stories of late payments and damages. Maximize your options to make sure this tenant is a good fit for your rental property.

3. Ask to see Cleared Past Rent Checks

Requesting cleared, past rent checks (front and back) will help you confirm:

• To whom the tenant is currently paying rent
• If the amount they claim to be paying matches what’s shown on the cleared rental checks, and if the amount is the same from month to month.
• The day of the month that checks are getting cleared by the bank. If checks are clearing between the 5-8th of each month, then you can safely assume the payments are being made by the first.

4. Request Photos of Pets

If a tenant is bringing a pet with them, it can be a good idea to ask for photos of the animal before they move in.

By getting a photo beforehand, this will ensure that the Chihuahua you agreed to allow on the property doesn’t suddenly turn into an aggressive Rottweiler on move-in day.

5. Charge Applications Fees

Application fees cover the costs of obtaining screening reports, but they also help to gauge the level of commitment of a potential tenant. It’s a small, but very important measure in reducing the number of applicants that back out of the deal and filtering the initial applicants to those who are more serious.

If for some reason the potential tenant changes their mind about renting the property, you will at least ensure that your costs are covered when you charge an application fee.

6. Get a Copy of Their Driver’s License on File

Getting copies of driver’s licenses is one way to ensure that you thoroughly screen tenants. Obtaining this information allows you to verify the applicant’s address against other documentation from the application process and ensure they are who they say they are.

It’s an important step that helps you verify their identity and get a clearer picture of the individual that may be renting your unit.

7. Verify the Terms of the Agreement

Be sure that you and your tenant have a “meeting of the minds” in terms of what you are both expecting. Yes, this information should be outlined in the lease, but there is always the chance that you may have missed something or that the tenant misunderstands some of the details.

One additional step you can take is to send the tenant a “Rental Acceptance Term Email,” which includes a summary of the terms included in the lease, along with rules and regulations, and a tenant expectations handbook. This way you can be sure that the tenant has seen the terms of the agreement twice, so the rules should be clear.

Some other last few ways to thoroughly screen tenants include verifying employment and calling previous landlords. Be sure to do your due diligence upfront, so that you don’t end up with a lousy tenant.

Get $5,000 Paid Closing Costs When You Buy Your Next Rental Property

Owning rental properties is all about making the most profit – which starts when you make the initial purchase.

When you buy any property with a SimpleShowing Agent, we’ll give you $5,000 on average towards your closing costs or 1.5% of the purchase price at closing.

Contact us to find out how much you could save on your next rental property purchase.

Conclusion

Mastering the tenant screening process is crucial to ensure you’re leasing your property to responsible and respectful individuals. As a landlord, one must never underestimate the importance of thoroughly screening tenants. This procedure, which includes checking credit reports and reviewing the employment history of prospective tenants, goes beyond just securing your income. It’s an investment in peace of mind, knowing you’ve done your due diligence to minimize potential problems down the line. By implementing these seven not-so-obvious ways, you can be more confident in your rental decisions, reducing risks and promoting a healthier landlord-tenant relationship.

Following the Fair Housing Act and other relevant fair housing laws is equally important in the screening process. Any violations, whether intentional or accidental, can result in serious consequences. It’s crucial to treat all rental applicants fairly and equally, regardless of their background. A thorough, non-discriminatory tenant screening process that respects these laws ensures you’re providing equal opportunities for prospective tenants, further reinforcing the credibility and integrity of your role as a landlord.

Utilizing tenant screening services can greatly streamline the screening process, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of a prospective tenant’s credit report, employment history, and background check in a shorter amount of time. However, it is important to remember that these services are tools to assist in the decision-making process, and should not solely dictate your decisions. Collecting a security deposit, meeting potential tenants personally, and thoroughly reviewing each rental application are still important aspects of a comprehensive screening strategy. Remember, an effective screening process is not about violating fair housing laws but instead promoting a safe and respectful rental environment.