When it comes to finding the appropriate renter, knowing what questions to ask potential tenants will save you a lot of time. Being a landlord can be difficult, especially when you’re just starting. As a landlord who wants to list a house for rent, you want the finest tenant possible to inhabit your rental property. As a result, you may be wondering what types of questions you should ask when a tenant walks down to your doorstep.
When it comes to screening rental applicants, many landlords prefer to go with their “gut” instinct. However, regardless of how an application answers any of the above questions, many landlords will not completely believe the information supplied by a potential renter at face value. According to the results of the 2016 Smart Move survey results, 86% of landlords verified the complete information of the applicants.
To sift out bad applications and discover a decent long-term renter after you list a house for rent, asking questions is the most convincing way to help an owner understand if the applicant will fulfill your expectations and vice versa.
1. Is this your first time renting a property?
An owner must be aware of the preliminary questions. This question is an excellent starter that would give significant insight into the tenant. It would depict their experience with the landlords and a general overview of their background.
2. Do you have all the necessary documents?
A tenant with complete documents will take the screening process further and make the conversation more transparent. Also, having no required documents makes a tenant ineligible from renting a property.
3. What’s your profession, and how much do you earn monthly?
This will break down the conversation to the Owner’s preferred tenant and rent offer. And also, whether the tenant can afford to rent the property or not. The industry benchmark is three times the rent in monthly income. This offers the renter ample money to spend on other bills while also providing a safety net in case of unexpected needs such as vehicle repairs or medical expenses.
4. Where are you originally from?
Asking about where the tenant belongs will give a brief idea about their general behavior and choices. Also, a landlord can dive into further details while asking more about the place of their origin.
5. Do you smoke or drink?
This is a crucial tenant screening question because of the severe property damage that smoking may cause. This is an excellent moment to remind your potential renter of any smoking policies you may have and the repercussions that might arise if the smoking policy gets ignored. Include these specifics in your rental or lease agreement.
6. What is your marital status?
Such details tell a lot about human behavior and how someone manages their surroundings and lives. If a landlord is looking for something else, the line of question will make things clear and fast.
7. Are you interested in signing a one-year lease?
This will tell how much time a tenant is willing to rent a property. If a landlord is looking for someone long-term or even short, it will be specified. It is essential to pay attention to the content of the rent agreement since it is a legal document. Therefore, you must guarantee that everything is in accordance with the communication between both parties.
8. Are you carrying any furniture with you?
A property generally comes with some specifications, including unfurnished, semi-furnished, and fully furnished. Therefore, the question will enlighten the requirements of the tenant and what the landlord is offering. In addition, the question will bring down both the parties on a common agreement before the property gets rented. Also, the owner can be aware of things the tenant will bring with him.
9. Do you have a pet?
If they have pets and you don’t accept them, you’ve saved yourself and the candidate time and trouble. However, if you accept pets but have limits on the quantity or size of pets, now is the moment to inform the application. Now is also a good time to inform them of any pet fees/deposits you may ask their animal buddy (s). For example, if your candidate is bringing Fido, it’s a good idea to let them know how much you ask for a pet deposit and whether it gets paid yearly or monthly.
10. How many individuals would you be sharing your home with?
You must ensure that there are enough bedrooms for everyone who will be staying in the rental and that you do not exceed legal limitations. Five buddies moving into your one-bedroom apartment may not be a good match.
11. When would you like to move in?
This is one of the finest questions since it rapidly indicates if you and your application are a good match. For example, maybe you have a vacancy that gets filled right once, but your prospective renter won’t be able to move in for another month or two. Or perhaps the candidate is seeking a place to reside right away.
Conclusion
Nowadays, owners post rooms for rent, so the process gets easy and fast. The question ensures that there are no signs of selecting the wrong tenant because applicants may purposefully give misleading answers, have a moment of forgetfulness, or pull figures out of thin air if they aren’t entirely sure of, especially when put on the spot. Also, Posting a room for rent can effectively help the landlord find their desired tenant quickly. Once you’ve finished your inquiries, offer the renter an opportunity to clarify any concerns he has regarding the apartment, location, or neighborhood. Discrimination based on race or religion should also get avoided when selecting a renter. Finally, fill out an application form and attach a copy of the applicant’s bank statement, identity evidence, utility bills, and office identification. The latter will validate his claims of work. A bank statement will establish the tenant’s capacity to pay, while utility bills can assist you in determining the former address.