Screening before viewing apartment

[Amy Kircher]

How does everyone handle screenings? I rent out my downstairs walkout apartment and Im obviously more choosy about who I want in my house versus a separate rental miles away. I have specified ‘single, quiet, non smoker preferred’ in ad. When people call or message I check their FB page which often times gives me a good idea of their character. But before I set up a showing I’d like to have a better idea so I don’t waste time for both of us. I do ask some standard q’s like how many people, household income, rental history, prior evictions?, and state they must have a clean background. Anything else I could ask before I schedule a showing? (Once I meet them and they are a good candidate, I ask for references and credit/background check.) This would be my third renter, I’ve been very lucky with my first 2!

PS: Another Q: what do you say if they are definitely NOT a good fit?