Steer clear of bad tenants
Have you ever rented your house to a tenant you thought was a good one, only to find out that you had just made the biggest mistake of your life? We have some interesting tricks up our sleeves to help you steer clear of bad tenants.
We know the relationship between the landlord and tenant is somewhat rocky. Sometimes the situations even get worse. Bad tenants can drive landlords crazy. Want to save yourself from this nightmare? Well, try these useful tips yourself, or let Real Property Management Premier help you steer clear of bad tenants.
Let’s imagine you are the landlord and just rented out the house to a family. They looked pretty decent to you, as at the end, who can know about people’s true intentions?
Well, when the day came for their departure, they handed you the keys and left. With a big smile, you thought of checking the house. Although you knew it wasn’t necessary because you trusted your gut. You stepped into the house, your jaw dropped, and your eyes bulged out. Was it that clean? No, to your horror, garbage bags were lying around in the kitchen. The broken water faucet leaked water onto the floors. The white rug in the lounge had red wine stains. So, who’s the fool now?
That’s why we are here to help you pick good tenants and steer clear of bad tenants. According to Real Property Management, there are a few ways to avoid bad tenants. Let’s dive into those before you dive into the wrong tenants again.
Pre-screen to steer clear of bad tenants
According to Real Property Management Premier, showing vacant properties to people can be time-consuming. So why not save that precious time of yours? Go for an interview or a five-minute phone call with the renters before you meet them to give a tour of the property.
You should ask basic questions. Avoid questions where they would answer with a simple yes or no. Dig deep and ask questions that will get you more than just a yes or no. For example, you can ask how many people are there who are over 18? Instead of asking if there are any people who are over 18. You can also ask how many pets do they have? This way, you will know if that renter is worth the time or not. If they are not worth it, then you can cancel the application process. You can also ask for their photo IDs. This step is necessary in case if a tenant flies away without paying the rent of the property. With their photo IDs, the chasing game would be a bit fun (you will be able to catch them).
Shoe rack trick
Well, some residential property management companies have an amusing trick up their sleeve for you. It’s called the shoe rack trick – the most interesting trick to find the right tenant. First, purchase a shoe rack (it won’t cost you much). Once you have bought it, put it outside by the front door. When you bring the renter around to show the property, take off your shoes and put them on the rack. When putting them on the rack, look closely to your renter. Head down slightly turned towards them with your eyes slowly moving towards them (just make sure you don’t look weird doing it). Notice if they are ready to take off their shoes as well or are, they hesitating?
The right renter won’t hesitate even if they aren’t habitual of doing so. There now RPM Premier have solved your problem. Now you know whether that renter should be avoided or not.
Sneak into their cars
We know looking into someone’s car is against ethics, but a little sneaking never hurt anyone, right? Well, some property management companies have tried this trick to find whether the renter is a clean person or has spouts of dirt on them? When you peek inside their cars, see if there are any wrappers lying in the car or coffee cups in cup holders? This way, you will know if they will keep the place clean or not. Car is a person’s baby, so if they don’t keep it clean, then will they keep the house clean?
Give a call to current or former landlords
Try calling the renter’s current or former landlord, as part of your screening process to steer clear of bad tenants. You can ask them about the renter.
- How long have they lived there?
- Are they punctual with the rent?
- Did they keep the house clean?
- Have they ever filed for eviction?
The answers to these questions will help you in deciding if they are worth it or not. You should also ensure that whether the former landlord was reporting the tenant’s payment history to the credit bureaus or not.
One thing you should be careful about is whether the landlord is telling the truth about the tenant or just selling the lie. There are many landlords who would not give a negative review; they will withhold the most important information about the tenant just because they want to get rid of them. So, you have to be very careful other than that you are good to go!
Did we make picking the good tenant easy, right? Well, now have fun with the interviews!
Now that you’ve invested, are you getting the most out of your location properties? Look no further than Real Property Management Premier! Contact us online or call 954-362-5235 and ask our experienced property manager.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
