Screening tenants - calling previous landlords

[TJ Daniel]

I’m in the final stages of screening two tenants. Everything came back clean, however, I am getting ready to call their previous landlords to see how they were as renters. What are some must-ask questions to ask their landlords? Any suggestions?

[Stephen J Davis]

1. Would you lease to them again?

2. Did they return the property in the same condition it was given to them?

3. Did they pay rent on time?

4. Were they ever late?

5. Did they pay the late fees?

Remember to talk to two previous landlords. The present landlord may lie to get rid of a bad tenant.