Snotty nose at a preview

[Lisa Miller]

As a landlord I have had many successes and more than my share of nightmares. Every tenant a lesson, learn or repeat until learned, both the good and bad. I learned to take the opportunity of the proposed tenant previewing my rental property as also my opportunity to preview/screen them as a tenant before the application stage. A few things I've learned...

Do they keep the kids under wraps; quiet and minding with calm, stern parenting.

Do the adults talk with each other vs arguing or ignoring each other.

Do they trash talk their last landlord or owner? Do you want to be next?

Have they ever taken anyone to court for anything? Once there it is a familiar place with little fear of going there again.

Engage in conversation when they mention anything about their old house. If they painted a room in the old house, they are now professionals and may paint your house too.

I use to check out how clean their car is using that as a reflection of how they may keep house. But my Jeep is always on the job and dirty when my house is clean so I stopped doing that. I don't care how they are dressed or how old their car is. Long ago I sold our home and needed a rental while building our new home. I had been working in the dirt all day and didn't have time to change clothing before meeting the rental owner and later a banker. I shook the owners hand and she stopped me from going further and said, 'Uh, I don't think so, thanks for stopping by'. What she didn't know was that I had four occupied rentals and $50,000. cash in my pocket. My banker was happy to see me dirt and all.

One thing that has never failed me is the SNOTTY NOSE. If the adults don't take the time to wipe the snot off their child's upper lip are they really going to take the time to soak up the spilled drips of coffee or pop across the living room carpet flooring? My bet is no.

Your screening process is not just the application of family referrals, bank accounts and the jobs they had yesterday. These people will be the caregivers of your property. Screen from the first phone call, screen at the preview and screen the application. I can't stress it enough... Screen.

What little hints and tips do you have when meeting prospective tenants and the things you note or look for when they are walking thru your property?