Selecting the right tenants is crucial for landlords. Problematic tenants aren't always easy to spot, and intuition alone isn't reliable. Implementing a thorough screening process is essential to identify and avoid potential issues.
Here are 10 steps landlords can take for effective tenant screening:
Get to know the Tenant
During the property viewing, take advantage of the opportunity to ask the prospective tenant some key questions, including:
Why are you moving? How long have you lived at your current property? When are you looking to move? Do you have pets? How is your relationship with your current landlord? Have you ever broken a rental agreement? Will your employer or former landlord provide references?
Rental Application Process
We would advise tenants to complete a rental application. This form should collect the necessary information to help you make an informed decision.
Verification of Identity
Require valid photo identification from applicants. Record their driver's license number and attach a photocopy of their ID to their application. Consider verifying their identity further, such as through a license plate lookup.
Character & Landlord References
Contacting previous landlords can provide insights into the tenant's behaviour and reliability, as not all issues are formally reported. In the tenancy application process, prospective tenants typically list a few referees.
These individuals could range from friends and coworkers to their employer or someone who knows them well. Ideally, one of these referees should be the tenant's current or former landlord.
It's important to make sure that the tenants have informed their referees that they might be contacted for a reference. When we speak with a referee, our goal is to gain insights into the potential tenant's behaviour and rental history.
Transparency
Clearly communicate how you will use the information provided by applicants. This transparency protects you from future allegations of misconduct.
By implementing these tenant screening measures, landlords can be better equipped to find reliable tenants for their properties while safeguarding their rights and those of their applicants.
