Have the tenants pay at least part of your mortgage and expenses.Some investors make a habit of buying a property, moving into it and fixing it up, converting to a rental, and then moving on to the next one.

I just want to make sure I go in the habitable areas.

Generally I look to these areas when screening a tenant. 1) Money-Income (3x monthly rent)2) People-Person how do they carry themselves during interview3) Credit, not so much score but buying and paying off habits.

Then I have a one stop place to look at to field other landlord calls, see how much is owed, look up whether someone has applied before, etc.Another has all the vital financials for each property, with a column for each year owned, so that the trend data is easy to see.

I agree with what everyone says above and I just want to give my 2 cents.I suggest you break this habit of his immediately.

There has to be some consideration for the materials and my time to make this habitable and even marketable in the future to a typical home buyer.Sorry to get long-winded on this.

A Property Manager has habits to keep tenants in line.

They vary by area, but they are basically to insure health and safety and habitability.

I have a habit of "pulling up to a meeting" whenever a seller calls, so I can just get their info and call them back.What's your best call back number?

Ask about their work habits, deadlines and quality.