Need some Help Getting my first rental going

[Mark Weinstock]

I'm totally new to being a landlord.

I have my rental app and lease done and I'm ready to try my hand at Craigslist.

I'm just not really sure of a few things on the screening process dealing with the want to be tenants.

How do you handle the calls and prescreenings on the phone and what do you do to blow off undesirable sounding tenets right from the start ?

Then how to handle the showings the dead beats you don't want to waste time with having them pay for the app and screening when you know you won't be renting to them what do you say to them ?

Then the ones that do fill out and fail the app ?

Do you call them back and what do you say when you call them ?

[Account Closed]

You want to use some caution in your screen process. There are many valid reasons to not accept a potential tenant just be sure that you are not discriminating on any illegal basis.

Personally if someone asks me for an application, I give it to them even if I'm fairly certain that I won't be renting to them.

There are times though when a potential tenant makes clear comments that you know you can't accept. I tell these people they will need to look at other rentals.