Calling References for rental applicants

[Ramiro Rodriguez]

When calling references for potential tenants. What does one ask to the person on the other line?

Ex:

When calling previous apartment complexes do I ask for a property manager or can a leasing agent provide the rental history of the applicant?

How do I as these questions without sounding so demanding but staying professional?

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

@Ramiro Rodriguez always make sure you are speaking to a real reference and not the applicant's mother. If I am calling a rental reference I start with confirming the info given: rented 2 bedroom unit for 18 months. Would you rent to them again? Satisfied with them as a tenant. Anything else you want to share with me about this applicant? 

Check current and past employment. Ask as much as you can get. Confirm wages and time frames. Is this person eligible for re-hire? Do you consider this person a valuable contributor? Is this person's employment at risk for any reason? Does this virus put this person's job at risk? 

Those are my regular questions. More follow-up would depend on the answers given.