5 Questions to Ask Your Rental Applicant
Every landlord wants to avoid bad tenants as these people can cause problems for the landlord and the other tenants as well. One good way to avoid bad tenants is by having a proper screening process before you sign an agreement with the applicant. These are some of the questions you should ask to determine if you want the person on your property.
Why are you moving?
Many landlords are just happy to get new tenants, and thus they might skip this question deeming it intrusive. However, knowing the reasons why a tenant is leaving their residence might give you valuable information about their nature. Tenants who are moving due to an eviction or poor relationships with their neighbors or landlord should be avoided.
When are you moving in?
Good planners start their house hunt early. If a tenant wants to move in the following day, you should take this as a red flag. A tenant who will abruptly move somewhere else might inconvenience the landlord who will be left searching for a new tenant. If you choose to accept them, you run the risk of the same happening to you.
What’s your monthly income?
You need to be sure that the tenant will afford to pay their rent. Their income should be at least 2.5 times the rent. You should also request to run a credit check to verify that they don’t have large debts which they are servicing.
How many people do you plan to have in the apartment?
The maximum ideal number of occupants is two per bedroom. It is also the maximum legal limit in some states. More people are a health and safety risk and also increase the wear and tear on the house.
Would you be able to give references from your previous proprietor?
Getting references from former landlords is one of the best ways to verify whether the person is a good tenant. Any hesitations might indicate that the person has something to hide.
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