How do you screen prospective tenants?

[Scott Ficek]

I thought I would throw out a topic for discussion....Tell me about the process that you go through to screen tenants.

[Michael Shadow]

I do everything MikeOH does except for #3 and #6

I don't do 3 because I'm not sure of the process in my local yet. I will be researching this soon though.

I don't do 6 because anyone they put down on their app is going to paint a rosey picture for them.

Things I do in addition.

I scope out their car to see how well it's maintained and how clean it is inside. (does it look like a mcdonalds dumpster and have bald tires?)

I check their current landlord and also their previous one. The previous one is more important. When I call I always say:

"Hi, I'm calling in regards to Jane Doe. She is interested in renting an apartment from me and put your name down on the application. How do you know Jane?"

You can tell immediately if the person is a fake because they will be stumbling to figure out what role they are supposed to be playing (are they the friend, former landlord, employer)

Forgetting a form for them to fill out is sometimes good to, it gives you an excuse to go to their current apartment to knock on the door and peer inside to see how their housekeeping skills are. Better to see it in someone else's apt than in your own.

-Michael