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Updated over 7 years ago on . Most recent reply

Finally bought a house hack now how to find a great tenant !!
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@Zack Tremere I suggest posting this stuff in the Canada / Ontario forums. Our US friends are great and have strong & experienced skillsets but the area your investing will play a large part in terms of rules / regulations and strategies.
This Q was asked in a another thread, here was my response - I rent out several properties in Hamilton so i can relate first hand.
I use a few different screening processes. The first starts on kijiji. I ask a lot of question right off the hop. If they can't answer 4-5 questions clearly and legibly, there's no point in wasting anyone's time bringing them to the house.
I have this copied and ready to past for every inquiry on kijiji:
Thank you for your inquiry before we move forward a couple a questions:
What's your reason for moving? - (Did they have a fall out with prior landlord? Start a new job etc)
Are you currently working? - (Simple but important, a lot of people will be on ODSP, Ontario Works, etc.)
What is your budget for rent? - (This tells you is this near the top of their budget, near the bottom? etc)
How many people would this be for in total? - (you'd be blown away by the amount of people trying to cram 6 kids in a 2-bedroom, important Q to ask)
What date are you looking to start the lease? - (Does their start date even add up? Oh they need to rent too soon or a couple months from now? again no point wasting time).
Based on their answers to these Qs you use your personal comfort level to decide whether they get a viewing.
Bonus Point: Do you want no pets? Say Pets are allowed in the listing, let them open up about the 3 dogs and 4 cats they have, that way you have that information.