Want long-term renter & how to get new renter in day or two after last one leaves

[Susan Pompea]

I'm trying g to learn and fix the mistakes I've made in the past and need some advice.

1. How can I rent to someone who will stay more than one year? My rent is fair, the house is well kept up, it's in a nice neighborhood.  Each renter leaves for different reasons.  How do I choose one that will stay for a while?

2. I want to move new renters in as soon as possible after my current renters leave the end of May. How do I screen people before I show them the house? I don't want to disturbe the current tennents by  showing the house many times.  I also don't to show the house to people who are not qualified. 

3. The way I find renters is to put a "For Rent" sign in the yard and includes in a box with info. flyers.   I always get a good response. Is there a better way to get the type of renters that I want?

[Jennifer Griffin]

Hello @Susan Pompea

Hey Susan, I read one of your earlier posts about trying to get military . A lot of military men and women stay 2-4 years. So here are two websites that will allow you to post directly to military. The website addresses are www.mfsfr.com & www.ahrn.com. These websites may help you get tenants that will stay longer. Don't forget you may have to post 2 months in advance because military is always looking in advance.

There are some tenant screening services that do not cost a whole lot maybe $15-$20. As far as screening for longer staying tenants, you can make sure to look closely at their past performance or longevity of their stays at their prior residences. Their past history will be a good indicator of how long they may want to stay in the future. Another way not to disturb your current tenant(s) with too many showings, is to make sure to schedule all the showings in one day with 15 minute increments between each showing. This will show the perspective tenants there are a lot of people interested in the property and you will pick the best one. Trulia and Zillow are solid ways to advertise that will attract more renters that will hopefully be the type of renters you are looking for. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions. We love to help.

How do you collect rent? We suggest opening a free checking account, giving renters deposit slips, and having them deposit rent right into the account. The tenant will get a receipt. This will help you save time and money, and also the headache of lost checks in the mail.