What is the best way to pre-screen tenants?

Question

What is the best way to pre-screen tenants? Via email? phone? Voicemail? Or creating a webform for them to fill out?

John Warren · Answer

@Fili Aguirre I am a big fan of doing everything virtually. I normally do all of the initial tenant correspondence via text or email, and for screening we switch to email since we will need attachments like pay stubs, W2's, etc. I screen tenants often since I manage our 114 units here in Chicago.

Andrew Freed · Answer

@Fili Aguirre - Great question! First and foremost, I recommend having a written rental criteria and seeing if your incoming applicants pass most of this criteria prior to any showings. Always offer them the opportunity to apply, but advise due to the rental criteria, they most likely will not be accepted.

Personally, I like to provide a high quality product in a nice neighborhood and subsequently, I intentionally have a strong rental criteria 700+ credit etc so I can weed out the tenants I do not see being a good fit.

In regards to best practices, I usually do everything via facebook messenger, text and email but I will probably utilize a google web form moving forward. In today's market, it is not uncommon for me to receive 200+ inquiries per unit. That is just too much work to screen hence I can cut down my work by using a web form in the future.

I also like to ask for paystubs, license, bank statement, application and W2 evidence via email. I use apartments.com for the application process since they manage procuring the credit and background check. Lastly, I like to see them having at least 5x the rental amount in the bank, strong credit, 3x monthly income or have a co-signer and have good prior landlord references. DM me and I'll be happy to pass along my rental criteria.

Ishmael Johnson · Answer

Is there any specific screening method for section 8 tenants?

What is the best way to pre-screen tenants?

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