7 Questions from the first renting out landlord.

[Kevin Kim]

Hello,We purchased a property in San Bernadino California couple months ago,And we just listed our house for rent on Zillow.This is our first time to rent out house, and I have a few questions.

1. Back ground check. I have searched, and I think AAOA tenants screening is good option to do background check tenants..Please let me know if using just AAOA tenants screening good enough, or do I also have to use other websites or services for comprehensive search.

2.I heard that I have to get a signed agreement from tenant for background check.Please let me know if there is a template that I can use, or is there an easy way to get a signed agreement rather than email back and forth and get screening fee from applicants? Can I do all those things in AAOA?

3.We’re going to do background check all people(18+) who will live in our house. However what if they lie?

They can say just 2 people will live, and 10 people can live in there. And even though we see many people in the house, they can claim that they are just visiting them for few days. I think it is easy for tenants to hide bad background family member by not giving us information about the person.

4.What is the best methods to get rent. I think asking tenants set autopay is the best way. It looks like that I can do it though Zillow. Is it good?

5.I heard that we can also have No smoking policy. Please let me know if it is good to have those policy. Also, if tenants lie about it. How can I know?

6. When I listed our house , Zillow asks me if I want "Accept Zillow online applications".

It looks like that it offers applicant summary, credit report, and background check. It will be very convenient.However, I have researched, and it looks likes that their background check is bad. And, if we're going to use 3rd party background check like AAOA, I guess that I should not allow Zillow online application, right? Can I use both Zillow online applications and other service like AAOA? If I don't use Zillow online applications, please let me know procedure that we need to do from getting applications to rent out. I guess that I need to email rent application to people who contact us, showing them house house, and based on the information, we need to background check, and we choose one applicant, and getting sign.. etc.

7. I'm going to allow pet any size. However I saw many rent doesn't' allow pets, or allow only small dogs.Are there reasons? If tenants get renter's insurance, I think there will be no problem.

It will be appreciated for any comments.

Thank you.