First Turnover - Steps for new tenant

[Joe Conklin]

It's been a couple years since I have rented my unit and this is my first turn-over.  I'm showing the unit this week and just want to review steps to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Steps:

1. At the showing I will have rental applications where the prospective tenant can fill out at the showing.  If they don't fill out at the showing they can email it to me later.

2. After I receive the filled out application I will use SmartMove to send them an email and do the background check.

3. I will let them know I need last two pay stubs to verify income.

Is there anything I'm missing or additional that I need from the prospective tenant?

[Michele Fischer]

Basic steps are correct, here are a few other things to consider:

Many areas require that you provide your criteria, especially if you will be charging application fees.  We normally include this in the application packet along with info about the property & lease.  Do you have clear in your head how you will evaluate similar applicants?  We ask for pay stubs but also try to otherwise verify employment.  Does SmartMove call prior landlords, we like to dig around to find out all we can from declared and undeclared landlords.  Do you have pet policy, maximum occupancy and holding deposit sorted out?  Sure your agreement language still complies with local tenant-landlord law?