Tenant Screening questions

Tenant Screening questions

Investor · TX · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 2 votes

Hi,
I am looking for some advice on how to find better tenants.

Does anyone have any ideas on some screening questions that will help me find someone that fits the following criteria?
1- Someone who can do minor repairs and would not complain about every little thing, and if they see that the door handle is loose they can get a screw driver and tighten the bolts instead of calling and complaining about it and asking to send someone to fix it.
2- SOmeone who would tell me when there is a problem big or small even if they decide to fix it themselves.
3- Someone who would take care of of all of the yard work and not just mow the grass, for example like trim bushes, pull weeds from flower beds etc.
4- SOmeone who would not make structural changes (like removing closet doors or changing light fixtures ) even though its clearly stated in the lease agreement that its not allowed.

I know that there is no such thing as the perfect tenant and that people will do strange things.
But, I got lucky once and found someone like this in the past but it was due to pure luck.
SO  I am trying to see if there is anything that i can ask a prospective tenant in order to determine if they would be a good match and meet my criteria as best as possible.

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  • Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    3y

    Aloha,

    Sorry, you are just starting down the wrong road. You NEVER want Tenants to make any kind of repairs, with or without your permission, for a variety of reasons:

    YOU are responsible if someone gets injured as a result of an improper or poor repair...which you will now have to Re-Work, at additional cost. There is no time limit on this...if your next Tenant is injured due to past work, still potentially your problem. YOU are responsible to utilize properly licensed contractors for many repairs. If your Tenant creates a larger problem and/or additional damage, YOUR insurance will not pay out. YOU need to follow the IRS reporting laws if you are paying or bartering with someone for value over $600 per year.

    As a LL, it is 100% YOUR responsibility to provide a safe, secure, clean, and fully functional rental unit, and to maintain it as such. Ageing is a normal process for every element of a rental unit...things wear out or deteriorate from unseen issues such as slow leaks, destructive pests, and simple UV exposure. Appliances need to be repaired or replaced due to age/mechanical failure as well, if provided by LL. Tenants are only responsible for damages caused intentionally and through misuse/abuse.

    Yard work is entirely different, assuming this is for an area that is not shared with multiple Tenants. All you need to do is specify, in writing, in your Rental Agreement, that they are responsible to maintain the yard, and detail your general requirements (how often, how high, trim shrubs and bushes, maintain flower beds).

    Your focus should be on developing a proper screening criteria and process, as well as properly preparing vacant units to attract the best Tenants.

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