Can I ask to see condition of prospective tenant's current home?

[Teryl West]

I'm a bit leery when prospective tenant tells me they are really clean because some landlords just want to get rid of a problem tenant.  

As part of my screening process, can I ask potential applicant I plan to select if I could walk through current residence?  I can easily drive by to see if the grass is cut or the blinds and screens are all torn up.  A walk through current residence will reveal how tenants will most likely keep my property if s/he were selected to lease.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

Quote from @Teryl West:

I'm a bit leery when prospective tenant tells me they are really clean because some landlords just want to get rid of a problem tenant.  

As part of my screening process, can I ask potential applicant I plan to select if I could walk through current residence?  I can easily drive by to see if the grass is cut or the blinds and screens are all torn up.  A walk through current residence will reveal how tenants will most likely keep my property if s/he were selected to lease.

I've done this a couple times over the years. I've also asked the tenant to send me some pictures or video. It's not common, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Keep in mind, this is a method of determining how they maintain the rental. It doesn't tell you anything about how timely they are with payments or if they've violated the lease.

sometimes just seeing the state of their vehicle will give you a clue..