Questions to ask new tenant

[Peter Morgan]

Hello,

I am in the process of finding a new tenant without the help of a broker. The prospective tenant is asking me a lot of questions before I can start mine.

They want to know how many people live in the lower unit which can change in future.

I will appreciate if someone can share me a questionnaire to ask a new tenant.Also I would like to include in lease a way to have an exit strategy as a landlord in the event of transfer of ownership.Appreciate your inputs.

Thanks

[Patricia Steiner]

This is more about not giving up control of the process.  Remember - what starts out crazy ends crazier.  Simply ask "why do you ask" to some of those questions that are unrelated to the available unit.  Let them know that you are not willing to disclose information about the other tenants or the property to those who have not made formal application.  Redirect by asking them what their housing needs are, do they work at home, who will live there, do they have pets, and that a security deposit/renter's insurance/utilities are required of the tenant.  What not to ask is even more important; don't ask about past criminal convictions/charges, specific questions about children or disabilities.  Those fall under Fair Housing Act - and the criminal one has become a major legal challenge against landlords in failing to provide housing to those who have served their "debt to society" or whose crimes were not recent.  

Use your first meeting to present your property and to determine if you're attracting the right tenant quality.  Hope this helps...