Do you allow rental applicants to self show your properties?

[Ryan Ahlgrim]

I'm assuming most will answer that question with a "no" (or "HELL NO!") but are there any landlords out there who allow rental applicants to view their properties alone without themselves or someone from their property management company present? If so, what's your process? Some of my initial concerns would be: - I want to personally meet the applicants to see if I like them. - What if they damage or steal something? - What if they injury themselves? - What if they just move in and start squatting? - What if they come back later and let themselves in without my permission? At the same time I feel like security cameras and smart locks you control with a smart phone would take care of most of those worries. You could even try using FaceTime with the applicant for an initial phone interview then ask them to text you a picture of their drivers license in case you or the police need to track them down later. I've only been landlording for a few years and so far showings are my least favorite thing. More than half the time it seems like the prospect doesn't show up or call ahead to cancel. The open house strategy doesn't seem to work as well as others lead you to believe. You usually end up hanging out at the house alone for an hour. If I could find a simple, safe, and cost effective way to automate showings, I might give it a shot. I'm curious to hear what other people think of the idea.

[Jeff Filali]

@Ryan Ahlgrim  I do it all the time on my properties.  Every property has a lock box, and so far I haven't had an issue.  It really helps when you have properties in other markets, and just can't always make the time to be there.  I can see how it could potentially cause some idiot to be a problem, but honestly if someone wanted to tear up a property or be a squatter, the doors being locked isn't going to stop them.  I probably wouldn't do it on a higher end property.