Showing process, do you show property first or have credit/employment ran

[Jeremiah Dunakin]

Hello, first time landlord here. I recently renovated my first rental property. We listed on Facebook got around 25 inquiries. Also listed on rent redi. My question is this do you make prospective tenants fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first. Or do you show property?Like I stated we have about 25 people ask but I’ve been sending link to do checks first and no one has responded and filled them out. I’m thinking I’m doing it backwards.I just don’t want to show the house to tire kickers. What say you guys?

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

Of course this may work better or worse for your particular location and type of properties, but my preference is to request they call to schedule a showing. We then show the unit, answer general questions, and if they ask about the application process, I will give them an application and advise them of the process.

Part of my unspoken "screening" is to see if they follow the instructions to call for scheduling; and, do they show up at all/on time for the showing. Sure, I lose some time for those that blow off the appointment (how the H do you not make it to an appointment made two hours ago?), but it tells me they had little to no respect for me/my time, they are disorganized, and they do not have the courtesy to call and cancel. I would not want them as tenants anyway, and usually I can still be productive with my time spent waiting (never more than 15 minutes).

Part 2 of my screening, for those that do show up, after they have had a look around, is to wait and see if they are interested enough to ASK about the application process. If they do not, of course I offer them an application before leaving, unless they state they are not interested for some reason. In addition to the notice that is on the back of the application regarding "renting as is, no additional cleaning or repairs without written approval of PM" and other caveats, I also explain the actual process, basic factors for approval, the documentation they need to provide, cost and payment method for application and for move in should they be approved.

If they have not followed all of the instructions, people with poor attitude and that are non-compliant are not a protected class  under fair housing, and they may be disqualified. Again, these may well be indicators of likely future behavior. I like happy, organized tenants that make an effort to follow the rules. As reward, I will provide a clean, safe, functional home and be responsive to routine service requests.