What questions do you ask over the phone of prospective applicant

Question

Good morning everyone. Another question on here got me wondering. What is the list of screening questions that you ask people when they call about renting your properties? This is something that I need to get better at. I feel like I'm being so intrusive, but I guess if they are really interested they'll be giving me all of that info on the application and background/credit check anyways.

Thanks!

Casity Kao · Answer

@Jennifer Rysdam  We generally don't spend a lot of time asking the tenants question rather we just give them the facts.  It's too difficult trying to qualify each prospective applicant and also remember who they area, as many of our rentals will get 60-80 inquiries.  We simply let the tenant know the details on the property with also the pros and cons, tenant screening process and cost to move in.  For example something  my team would say to the tenant is "Hi this is Casity.  You had called us on a 2 bedroom, as 123 main street in Main City, USA.  The property is still available if you would like to see it.  It is located right next to middle school in a quiet neighborhood, and sits on the second floor so there is a flight of stairs to climb.  Did you have any other questions about the property?  Great, once you see the place if you are interested in moving in there is a $40 screening fee, which covers a background check and credit check.  If one tenant is able to qualify alone on their credit, then we only charge a $25 background check for the rest of the adult tenants who will stay at the property.  There is a $100 cleaning fee, and one months rent of $650 and a $650 security deposit is needed to move in.  Did you have any other questions about the screening process?"

At this point if they are not a good tenant they will start asking a lot of questions which will help you qualify them.  If they tell you it's not nosy versus you asking them.  Normally once they realize that their is a legit screening process that will eliminate a lot of your poor renters, and then we go to our second level which involves an in home review of the rental agreement. At this point we go to the prospective renters home to see how they live.  We offer this as a service to the prospective tenant so normally they don't think it is actually part of the screening process, but really we want to see if they trash the place they currently live in.  If it's trashed we move on, if it's clean we move them into the last step of the process.  Hope this helps!

Nate Burgher · Answer

I personally like to speak to someone face-to-face so I can read their facial expressions and body language when talking to them. I can also see how they dress, their method of transportation, etc. Although these aren't fail-safe "tells", they at least help.

So to answer your question, I don't ask them much over the phone. My listing says it all and has some tough requirements to meet financially for many renters regarding security deposit and amount of first payment due. I ask them if they've read through the entire listing, and ensure they know the financial dues on the first payment, the fact there's no pets allowed, etc. If they understand and agree to that portion, I set aside a half day in my calendar and break my appointments into 20-30 minute windows, and will meet with 8-10 candidates within that timeframe. If they're still interested at the end of it, I say here's the application (Cozy.com), to send it to me by the end of the day including background and credit check (facilitated by Cozy), and go from there.

Hopefully this helps!

Robert P. · Answer

I respond the same to everyone. This can be done via phone or email. I choose email to keep it these questions and these questions only. (Sometimes people can ramble about literally everything and I don't have time for that)

Mike H. · Answer

I don't always ask them questions over the phone. Sometimes I'm just too busy. I'd rather schedule the inspection. At the end of the day, the house is going to speak for itself and thats what they'll either find is a fit or not.

But if I do ask, here are some of the basic things I'll ask them.

1) Do you have any questions about the house. This is usually when you'll get your best stuff from a tenant - i.e. pets, kids, school, etc.

2) Are you from the area (I try to ask this one any time i see an area code that is outside the area).

3) Why are you looking to move?  This is another one that tends to bring out some good info. I like to see when their move makes sense (i.e. need bigger home, new job, etc).

Thats about all I ask up front. Usually I can get enough information there to see if there are any red flags. If there are, then I may ask follow up stuff. Or I may actually point out that the house may not be a good fit.

Do they have 4 kids? Is the house a 3 bedroom house with one really small bedroom. Not a fit. Then I try to steer them to another house if I have one in the works - either under rehab or if I know some turnover is coming.

Do they work an hour away? Again, I try to steer them to something closer if possible.

There are times when I tell people the house just doesn't seem like a good fit.

I don't want to waste my time or theirs....

Kim Meredith Hampton · Answer

Jennifer,

Don't feel that way, this is your property, as long as you dont wonder into Fair Housing World you should be good;

When do you need the property/move in? If longer than thirty days, take their name and number, dont wast your time showing them

How many people will be occupying the property? I use the two + one rule per bedroom from HUD. You also need to know the HOA or Condo rules if your property is within one of those jurisdictions. I have one that doesn't accept non related Individuals!!! Crazy

Do they have any pets and what kind?

What is their budget and do they make three times the amount of the rent on a monthly basis?

Have they ever been evicted, this is a big fat NO for me

Hope some of these help

Jennifer Rysdam · Answer

Thanks @Robert P. I appreciate the information! This would work great for all of those that IM me through my Facebook posts.

Jennifer Rysdam · Answer

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice.

What questions do you ask over the phone of prospective applicant

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