Monday, April 19, 2010

Tips On How To Screen Rental Property Tenants

The economic downturn has caused rental properties in Tampa to grow. The deterioration of home ownership opened the door for tenants who now can afford to choose any property they want to lease.

With these facts come the responsibility for property managers to choose which tenants should avail of a certain property and if they are more than qualified to do so. The rental business is a good business. The only way to make this a worthwhile investment is properly manage not only the property but also the people who will be staying on it.

This is why there is thing called tenant screening. The steps involved in tenant screening is the assurance that both the owner and company need to be rid of problems or headaches that go along with managing a property.


How do you screen tenants? Below are some basic steps.

1. Tenant application form.

Provide an application form where tenants can place all their relevant information. It should include personal information like name or address, social security number and employment record.

Have them fill out a reference person and contact details of employers you can conduct a background check on that person. This is one way of knowing what type of individual you are renting the property into.

2. Credit check.

Credit checking is important to know if there are past credit reports that you should watch out for. If there is a bad or negative report on the tenant, better think twice about going ahead with the negotiation.

The best way to deal with this is to explain in a professional manner why they are not approved to rent the property. It is also advisable to check thoroughly for errors that might have been made in the credit report. When the same result comes out, then the property management in Tampa can provide a sound advice on how best to settle situations like this.

3. Rental history.

Call and interview past landlords. You can ask the previous landlord about payments, late or non payments. In addition, ask about how the renter maintains the property.
Previous landlords should be able to tell you about problems they encounter and other important things you need to anticipate.

Do not hesitate to ask for referrals in order to check rental homes in Tampa history. This is one way of knowing if the person is the perfect candidate for the property.

4. Verify records.

When you already have all the necessary information, continue to verify the data with various agencies involved. You can check out courthouses for records or demeanors. Contact references for additional information about the person.

You can never be too careful. Check every detail that the renter will give you. The more you know about the tenant, the easier it is for you to distinguish if you will approve of the application or not.

5. Ask.

Do not hesitate to ask the potential tenants other questions you might have. It is the right of both the owner and the property manager to do that.

Like any other business, a harmonious relationship can be achieved only if both parties understand each other and are working together to reap the benefits. For the property rental business to be more successful, all you have to do is ask.

For more information or for further inquiries, visit: Tampa Property Management

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