 |
Further
Reading ...
|
|
5 Easy Ways to Save and Build Wealth
1. Pay off high-cost debt. The best investment most borrowers can make is to pay off consumer debt with double-digit interest rates. For example, if you have a $3,000 credit card balance at 19.8%, and you pay the required minimum balance of 2% of...
Easy Gift Ideas For Dad On Father's Day
Father's Day is just around the corner. If you're looking for a gift a little more exciting than the traditional tie, consider making up a men's pamper gift set. Personal care products, whether you purchase them or make them yourself, make...
Do's and Don'ts of Military Care Packages for Soldiers
Sending a care package to your loved one deployed overseas seems so easy, doesn't it? You just box up some cookies, attach a sweet card, and it's ready to go, right? If only it were that easy. Sending mail to ships/units overseas is tricky for...
The Ethical Responsible Puppy Buyer
The responsible, ethical BUYER
We certainly hear and read multitudes of opinions of what makes a responsible papillon or phalene dog breeder (and many times those opinions are biased by the writers' backgrounds in papillons or...
|
|
|
Landlords: Checking out Potential Tenants
|
 |
Written By:
dan the roommate man
|
|
|
If you're the landlord of a complex in high demand, you have to have high standards for your tenants. You don't want to rent to any Joe Blow and then lose the building a month later because he's been growing an "herbal garden" in the bedroom. In order to avoid any complications with your new tenants, the background check you perform should be extensive.
Typical rental applications look something like this... but if your apartment or home is in high demand, you should have high demands on your applicants as well. Don't be afraid to ask more questions. Being a little nosy can save you from some future stresses.
The sample application asks for current employment information, but it's a good idea to request the previous employment information as well. Sally may be a great employee at Buck's Bar... but if she's only been employed there for a few weeks, it's a good idea to contact her previous employer. Did she walk out? Was she constantly late? Was she fired for inappropriate behavior?
Likewise, you'll want the tenant's previous (not only current) landlord contact information. If you only talk to your applicant's current landlord you may hear nothing but wonderful things, but that landlord may just be saying them to get rid of the terrible tenant! The previous landlord, however, has nothing to lose by telling you the blunt truth. Find out if the applicant was consistent with payments, or if he or she caused any trouble for the other tenants.
Ask about annual income. According to many property managers, rent should not be more than 33 percent of income. If you do the math, and it doesn't look like the applicant will be able to afford rent, you should ask them about their plan. Robert Irwin, author of The Landlord's Troubleshooter, Dearborn, asks applicants bluntly: "Do you figure you'll be able to handle the monthly rent payments?" Irwin explains that good tenants will usually spout off how they plan to budget for the apartment. It's still important - continued below ...
|
|
|
continued ...
to check out their finances through their employer and credit history to find out if they're telling the truth.
You may or may not want to include a question in the application about whether or not he or she plans to get (or has) any pets. If your tenant has 2 Dobermans and plans on moving into a 500 square foot space with no yard... you may not want to rent to them. Not only could the large pets cause expensive damages or stink up the apartment, but it’s also unfair to the animals! Do you want to rent to someone who cares that little for living creatures?
You will also need to have a clause in your rental application stating that you have the right to perform criminal, personal and financial background checks on prospective tenants. If this clause is not present in the tenant's signed application, you have no legal right to contact anyone from their past.
Once you've talked to past employers and landlords, you should be able to determine whether or not the applicant would be a good addition to your establishment. If it looks like they have a good chance, you'll want to run a credit report on them to make double sure of your instinct.
Credit reports can be expensive ($35.00 - $50.00), so it's a good idea to only run them on applicants you've researched and feel good about. Some credit checking agencies will give discounted reports to landlords ($10.00 - $20.00) and if you would like to, you can ask your potential tenant to pay for some or all of the credit report cost.
By checking out everything from past employees to credit, you will have enough information about the applicant to decide whether or not you are going to accept the application. The process may seem tedious, but finding out about a bad tenant before he lives in your complex is well worth your efforts.
About the Author
Since 1989 dan the roommate man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| _Additional Resources ... |
|
It Not Easy Bein "Me"
When I hear the popular children’s song, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green,” sung by the lovable character, Kermit the Frog (a.k.a, Jim Henson), my heart hears instead, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Me.” My thoughts turn to my son, Dustin and the many children with...
CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATION!
You may publish this article in your newsletter, on your website, or other publication as long as the article content is not altered and the resource box is included. Add byline with active link. Notification of the use of this article is...
Wedding Dresses -- How to Choose the Right Wedding Gown for Your Big Day
Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on every bride's wedding day. You can find perfect wedding gowns online, or simply brainstorm which style of wedding dresses to start looking for as you narrow down your search. First you need to...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
