All Forum Posts by: Paul Ronto

I would opt for one that includes a Criminal Check as well. Also going the route where Credit and Criminal are cross-referenced by the same reporting bureau is crucial since there's a high possibility for inaccurate data if you're pulling credit and criminal separately, especially for more common names. Just some thoughts on the topic. 

@Roshan K. we may be able to help you. We're a partner with SmartMove. Let me know if you're still having issues, feel free to reach out to me directly. Thanks. 

@Zackery Bagby I agree with @Eric H. that properly screening tenants is the biggest step, lots of landlords skip. It's a step that crucial in finding good tenants, which make landlording much easier and less time consuming. Take the time up front to screen properly, it will pay for itself over and over again through the term of the lease if you do it well. 

My suggestion is to use an online landlord software that integrates your application process with legit screening resources like credit, criminal and eviction reports. It makes it so much easier if it's all integrated, no more taking a paper application, retyping info, collecting payment, trying to navigate the permissions behind getting screening reports. Just this one step has saved me hours and hours and lots of headaches. 

Once you have your screening reports, if you're still moving forward with the prospect so reference calls to past landlords and current employers. Ask lots of questions. I have a guide for tenant screening/reference calls I'll send you. 

Also ask for proof of income, and a copy of their latest bank statement. 

Some landlords go as far as to drive by the current residence, or ask to peek into their car, that's a bit intrusive for me, but all options depending on how you want to screen. 

Let us know if you have any other questions, always happy to help!

@Ashley Cote I manage 5 properties while working 40-50 hours a week at my full-time job. I've been doing this for years, but lately with the help of online software to help with marketing, screening and collecting rent payments all electronically, my landlording life has become much much more streamlined and efficient. I believe you can manage your own properties easily once you have your systems in place, your forms written out, and your software set up, from there it's just a push of a few buttons, a few phone calls, a couple showings and you're all set! Good luck and let us know if you have any questions, we're always happy to help. 

@Michelle Elsaid , unfortunately, you're going to have to get your tenants permission to pull reports. The easiest way moving forward is to have them apply online so application and screening reports are all integrated into one action. Let us know if there's anything else we can help with!

@Roshan K. No I am not. 

Ya online payments are the way to go. No more "it's in the mail" excuses from tenants. It's easier to keep track of and determine who's late as well. Five days is a long time to wait, we get ours in 2 and it costs me nothing as the landlord. 

It really depends on what you need help with. Accounting? Marketing? Tenant Screening? For me, my pain points were marketing, screening and collecting rent. I use a simple excel sheet for accounting as I only manage my 5 units, but being able to syndicate my listings all over the web, integrate an online application with legit screening reports and collect rent all through one platform makes my life pretty simple. 

@Andy Krzanowsky , I hadn't used that before but going to try it!

@Jacqueline Coombs , the application and screening reports are integrated, meaning at the time a prospective tenant submits their application and payment everything is collected immediately for the landlord. The purpose of this is to provide quick results for landlords to make screening as simple as possible. Feel free to reach out directly if you have other questions, we're happy to help!