It’s super-important to get good tenants in your rental property who pay rent on time and take care of the home so you don’t have any damage to deal with when they move out. Today, we are sharing a few pointers about screening so you can get the best tenant.
Phoenix Property Management: Applicant Pool
Make sure you have a lot of people to pick from when you gather applications. If you have only one person applying for the property, you are inclined to take that person just so you can get someone in there and paying rent. Advertise early and offer incentives. Most importantly, price the property correctly so enough applications come in.
Phoenix Property Management: Tenant Screening
Once you are looking at an application, at the minimum you should be doing a criminal background check, a credit check, and a verification of income. You need tenants who earn enough money to pay rent. Additional things to consider include checking social media sites. That can give you a good character reference, and tells you who you are dealing with. Run an eviction check. Look nationally, not just statewide. Talk to former landlords. The current landlord may not be the best reference. You may not get an honest opinion, and that landlord doesn’t know if there will be damages left behind and a security deposit claim. Talk to the previous landlord, who will have more information because the tenant moved out a while ago.
Phoenix Property Management: Pets
Pets can be a sensitive area for both landlords and tenants. Since 60 percent of renters have pets, you want to allow them. But, which pets do you welcome? Make sure your insurance policy covers the breed of pet you are going to allow. It can be costly if the breed is excluded from claims.
Phoenix Property Management: Verify Everything
When doing your landlord verification, make sure you’re talking to the right person. Check the property address and confirm you’re talking to the owner of record. Sometimes, addresses get omitted from applications. Maybe something happened at a previous property that the tenant is not proud of. Cross reference all addresses on the credit report and the driver’s license. All of them should appear on the application.
If you have any questions about tenant screening or you need help with property management in Phoenix, please contact us at Service Star Realty.
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