Can I request prospective tenant complete application before showing unit?

[Ashley Sommer]

Hi,

I've read the BP tenant screening guide but I still have a question I cannot find the answer to. I'm am soon to close on my first duplex (in which I will be living in one of the units). I have started to market the unit and am receiving call backs. As we do not yet own the house I have to coordinate tenant showings with the sellers.

So as to avoid disturbing them excessively, I'd love to make sure a candidate is mostly qualified before showing the unit. At least verifying some major things like employment, criminal history, etc.

Does anyone ask a tenant to complete an application before showing the unit? How has this worked out for you?

If not, are there ways you recommend screening a tenant to make sure they are somewhat qualified before a showing?

Thank you so much!

[Tom Sylvester]

Ashley,

First off, congrats on your upcoming closing! I always recommend that people who want to get started in real estate investing but are currently renting do just what you did by purchasing a multi-unit and living in one of the units. It is a great way to get started and see if real estate investing is for you, as well as save some money.

Our screening process is very similar to what the BiggerPockets Tenant Screening Guide recommends. Screening starts with the advertisements. We make our expectations clear in the ad to reduce tire kickers. When we speak to them on the phone, do they sound respectful? We usually ask some background information to help us gauge them, such as why they are moving. This provides us a pretty good idea of the person before we meet them or show the unit. We don't require them to fill out the application before seeing the unit, but we recommend it to them as we go through the applications we receive in order. A majority of perspective tenants for us will show up to the showing with the completed application, and some will even submit it to us before.

Another thing we do is group all showings together. We typically do them on Saturdays for a 1/2 hour. We usually have a few people that do not show, so grouping them together reduces the time we spend showing and also reduces time spent disturbing the tenants. Additionally, it creates a sense of urgency for the apartment. When people show up and see 5+ other sets of being also looking at the apartment, it builds enthusiasm and allows people to see that our units are in demand.

This has worked out well for us. The key is to try something out and tweak it as you go and learn more about what is working.