What are your tenant pre-qualifications ?

What are your tenant pre-qualifications ?

So. Cal. · Member since 2017 · 41 posts · 18 votes

Hey BP

Playing "devils advocate" here and looking to get some thoughts/opinions from the BP hive. 

      So, my current prequalifying factors:(B grade unit/area) are as follows:

    *First/Last month rent + $500 deposit (refundable).

    *1 small dog/no cats or other pets.

    *$25 mo pet fee/$200 (non-refundable) cleaning fee

    *Tenant cares for yard (Lawnmower provided).

    *current verifiable employment.

    *approx 2-3 x more than monthly rent.

    *No evictions ever.

    *no criminal record. Background, credit, eviction checks. 

    *No smoking

    *Verifiable good references.

    Before even showing, I make sure interested parties can meet these pre-qualifiers. 

    I usually attract, a "higher" maintenance tenant (which I'm ok with, because they care about the maintenance of the property) with an average of about a 2 year stay. I've had no problems with rent being paid, ever....Not even a late payment. BUT....

    The question:  With the above pre qualifiers, yes, perhaps I may be mitigating risk, but aren't you also potentially asking for a higher/quicker turnover? For example, most people with these qualifications, could easily buy a house, and likely will do that. Would it make more sense to lower prequalifying factors and attract a demographic who would stay in your rental for the long haul? 

    Curious what everyone does. How do you approach your rental criteria? Is my criteria too strict- particularly in these crazy times?  Is it better to attract tenants who want/need to stay longer? Maybe I should change my approach. 

    What do you think? 

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
6y

I have about the same except no pets, and a higher deposit, min income 3x rent, min credit 650. In order to buy a house you need a down payment; 99% of renters don't have that. Some can barely come up with a 5k move in fee! I don't worry about them buying houses. Stick to your guns.

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  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    6y

    I have about the same except no pets, and a higher deposit, min income 3x rent, min credit 650. In order to buy a house you need a down payment; 99% of renters don't have that. Some can barely come up with a 5k move in fee! I don't worry about them buying houses. Stick to your guns.

  • South Holland, IL · Member since 2017 · 376 posts · 432 votes
    6y

    @CJ B.

    I use the same standard except I don’t allow pets which probably hurts my chances for better prospects but oh well.

  • Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    6y

    Our standards are higher, much higher, pretty much across the board. I think your being extremely lenient although I don't know what market you're in so who knows, maybe our markets are just that totally different. 

    I would suggest to better define things, such as what is defined as a small dog. As thats written it's open to one's perception of a small dog. 

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