Are my pre-screening questions a turn-off and/or unkind/impersonal?

Question

After joining BP and engaging on the forums I have started using the common strategy of pre-screening folks who call and email me before I show them the property. It has worked well - maybe too well. Some people have no problem answering the questions but a lot of them never get back to me.

This morning I woke up to a woman's email saying this:

I can absolutely answer these questions, but not sure you're the type of landlord I'd like to deal with...

You might considerable a more personal and kinder email to your future tenants.

Good luck.

Here is the email from me that she was talking about:

Hello (name removed),

Before we can set up a showing, please answer the following questions:

1. Why are you looking to move at this time?

2. What is the combined monthly income of all applicants (people to live in the unit over 18 years old)?

3. How many evictions have you had (combined)? Felonies (combined?)

4. Tell me about your pets (names/ages/breeds/sizes)? How many are not spayed or neutered?

5. Will there be a problem with running a credit/criminal background check on all applicants over 18 years old at a cost of $25 to each applicant?

6. Will you be able to provide references for your current landlord, previous landlord, and employer?

Thank you for your interest and time. If your responses qualify you as a potential applicant I will be in touch to schedule a showing.

Am I being rude? Unkind? Impersonal? Awaiting your wise advice and suggestions...

Victor N. · Answer

@Max Tanenbaum the problem is not the questions ( although they can be improved) but how unfriendly, cut and dry, impersonal your email "sounds". Keep in mind that emails are very cold and impersonal specially when you do not personally know the other person. She said that she can absolutely answer but... So I do agree with the lady.

You can keep all the questions but need "something" to soften and make the email more personal. For example, you could start with something like" Dear xxx Thank you for your interest in the single family house that I'm renting at xxx. The house has been recently renovated/ freshly painted/ has beautiful refinished hardwood floors/ stainless steel appliances/ etc... You will enjoy living there.." Basically, you can use a short paragraph to tell potential tenants about the house.

You can also add a couple of lines about yourself. For example " Im the landlord and manage the property myself and to so I have a few questions that I ask all potential tenants. I apologize if they seem intrusive but they are necessary for me to start the screening process. Feel free to ask for any clarification". Then you can list all your questions. I would also remove the last sentence of your last paragraph ( "If your responses qualify you as a potential applicant I will be in touch to schedule a showing.") because that is already implied.

Basically, you can keep the questions and all you need to do is soften the email so that it doesn't sound so impersonal. If I were you, I would call that lady. Get some additional feedback from her and use that to improve your pre-screening email.

Account Closed · Answer

Hi Max,

I'm now a tenant, and I would have absolutely no problem whatsoever with this email.  I see nothing wrong with the tone.  I think you should leave it alone.

The truth is that very few people who "want" to rent your apartment will qualify if you're good at screening.  You just saved yourself a bunch of time by doing this pre-screening.

Anyone who can answer "no problem, got great references" to your questions will not be offended by them.

Carry on!

Jeremy Pace · Answer

@Max Tanenbaum

#1 may or may not be needed, it should be covered by the other questions.

#5 should be more of a statement, something like 'Each Adult will pay a $25 application fee'

I would guess that the woman either doesn't want to pay a fee, or she doesn't want to have to reveal some information that is sensitive to her.

Account Closed · Answer

Great questions.  Like @Rob Beland suggested, just put them on a form instead of an email.  A questionnaire is a more professional format.  I would stay from the personal email format, as it opens communications for a "friendly" relationship.  This is a business, not a friendship.

Max T. · Answer

I could send them the application up front but that will take a lot more time from them than the email, and it would be all for nothing if they're not interested in the apartment

Max T. · Answer

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm going to keep the questions, change the tone, and not worry about the offended lady!

Amy L. · Answer

I agree with Jesse T. sounds like she could be a problem tenant.

Rob Beland · Answer

@Max Tanenbaum forget the polite email with all the questions. Just put together a rental application and include a line item for each question. Save it as a pdf and just send it out over and over to applicants. You don't have to discuss what's in the application, just give it to her and ask her to fill it out.

Good luck.

Jesse T. · Answer

I would be glad that she removed herself.  If she is that easily offended as an applicant imagine what she must be like as a tenant.

I think you probably are better off keeping the questions impersonal.  It looks like a fairly efficient list - easy for good tenants to answer - without being too invasive.  Having it in writing will likely save you from a lot of in person sob stories about how their credit was ruined or similar situations.

Michael S. · Answer

@Max Tanenbaum

I agree with @Jeremy Pace and @Victor N., the line of questioning is fine, it's how you are wording the questions, and the overall tone of your e-mail that seems to be the issue.  Each of your questions sounds presumptive, as though you consider every applicant to have had at least one eviction or felony.  And why on earth would you need the name of my dog before you could show me the property?  (Not all information is necessary to prescreen)

Consider something along these lines:

1) What is your reason for moving at this time?

2) Do you have any pets? If yes, how many ___What breed(s)/size(s)_______________________Spayed/Neutered? ___

3) Have you ever been evicted?If yes, how many times ___

4) Have you ever been convicted of a felony?If yes, how many times ___

The application fee is $25 per applicant (Anyone residing in the unit who is over the age of 18)

A credit/criminal background check is required on all applicants

This property is renting for $xxxx. Our income guidelines require that the minimum income of all applicants combined equals $xxxx.

Are my pre-screening questions a turn-off and/or unkind/impersonal?

Most Popular Reply