Here are the questions we ask any person who calls about a vacancy/available rental property.
Use this to save time and pre-qualify your potential tenants before scheduling the in-person showing.
We also hold onto their contact information in a very easy to refer “First Name 965” in our contacts (965 is the house number) so we have an easy way of tracking.
- Why are you moving?
Ok answer: Lease is up at current location and would like to be closer to my job
Red flag answer: My landlord is not renewing my lease because of “X” weird story - When do you plan on moving in?
Ok answer: As soon as your ad says
Red flag answer: Could I move in next week? (Any desperation should give you concern) - How many people would be living in the house?
Ok answer: However many you specified in the house (note it is illegal to ever specify race, religion or any protected citizen class — You can only specify quantity in your ad)
Red flag answer: It would be more than your ad, because my boyfriend might move in, but he can’t pass a background or credit check - What is your monthly income?
Ok answer: Candidate makes $3,000 for a $1,000/month rent payment
Red flag answer: $1,500 for a $1,000/month rent payment (when rent puts buying basic necessities like food at risk, you should never consider it) - Will you have the security deposit and first month’s rent available on or before move in date?
Ok answer: Yes
Red flag answer: NoYes, it’s really this black-and-white. You either have your money or you do not. Do not settle for someone who does not have the funds to move forward - Will you consent to a background check?
Ok answer: Yes
Red flag answer: NoYour application should have a line item that describes any crime history, if they fill that out as yes, ask about it in person to see if it’s a silly crime like speeding or passing a stop sign one time this year. If it’s more serious though, use your own discretion and see if they are at a mature point in their livesWhy do I say use discretion? I have previously rented out to a former drug dealer that did 12 years in the slammer. And he had probation when he got out. But in questioning his character & motivations several times in-person, seeing the moves he’s making in his career and life in general…I took the risk and he was easily 1 of the best tenants I ever had. 4 years later, we are the best of friends, and by renting to him, I helped him save up enough money to buy his own house that is 3 times the size of the 1 he rented from me. Plus he does renovation work for me at a massive discount and I can depend on him for any favor
- Have you ever been evicted?
Ok answer: No
Red flag answer: Yes — Start putting their application off to the side as an absolute last resort, and even then, question why it happened several times - Do you have pets?
There are no suggested answers here, but do note that pets do add financial liability. In Georgia, if a tenant has a dog that bites another, the landlord will not be liable. But every State is different on liability.If you do end up allowing it, I advise adding $300 to your security deposit for each pet - Do you have any questions for the landlord?
Ok answer: A few standard questions
Red flag answer: They start making obnoxious demands like painting the entire house or they’re out.Should you paint if the house has crazy colors left & right and has no neutral colors? Maybe, but the potential tenant should be requesting changes, not demanding. Once you have a picky tenant that starts with being picky, guess what? You have just opened up a world of picky-ness throughout their lease
I hope this helps you.
Bless You, Yours & Your Investments,
Ivan Alpha