Tips for Screening Applicants and Filling an Apartment

[Noah Yonker]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to rent out a unit of my duplex to new tenants for the first time (the unit was occupied for 2.5 years when I bought it). What tips do you have?

I'm planning on using the application and screening tools on Cozy. I've used this website for collecting rent for a while and it works well.

- What key information will a prospective tenant want to know about the property? I think I have the basics in my ad but someone just emailed me asking for more information.

- Do you show your property before or after the prospective tenant applies? Are you strict on that policy?

- Do you include the application link on the rental ad? One of the places I posted my ad was on Craigslist and it got blocked due to the Cozy application link. So I might need to follow up with that via email. Do people trust the links as legitimate websites?

I will probably have individual showings since I live in the other unit and it's convenient. Any other information is appreciated!

Noah

[Renee Potoczny]

Try to schedule your showings in one 30 minute window.  I'll have 5 people confirm, then only 1-2 show up.  

When you are speaking to potential tenants, treat it like a job interview.  Keep in mind the tenant should be on their best behavior.  Just like a job, usually people present themselves the best on day 1.  I ask myself during the interview how is this tenant going to behave if they are late on rent and I have to ask them for it.

When I explain the background/credit check, I ask them if there are going to be any issues that they'd like to explain up front. 

Don't fill the apartment out of desperation.  Much better to keep it empty for an additional week or 2, than placing a questionable tenant due to vacancy concerns.