Tips For Screening And Selecting Tenants

Landlords should make it a rule of law, rather than an exception to ask all prospective tenants to fill out a written rental application, as well as, providing the following information:

1. Employment, income, and credit history,
2. Social Security and driver’s license numbers,
3. Past evictions or bankruptcies, and
4. References from past landlords, as well as, employers and friends.

Before selecting a tenant, it is important to check with previous landlords and other given references. As well, it is always a good move to verify income, employment, and bank account information; apart from obtaining an up-to-date credit report. The last is especially important, since it allows one to gauge, whether your prospective tenant is in the habit of paying rent or bills late, whether he / she has ever been declared bankrupt, or been evicted in the past.

However, in order to avoid trouble and keep in with Fair Housing laws, consistency and fairness in tenant screening is required, which means you should make it a policy to require all rental applicants to provide credit reports, along with their applications.

That apart, landlords should make themselves cognisant with all rules and regulations before drafting a lease, and must take all necessary precautions, such as, screening tenants and conducting background checks on prospective tenants, including ensuring all promises in the rental lease are adhered to, as their insurance for a litigation free landlord / tenant relationship. A simple click of the mouse and one can visit www.e-renter.com for tenant screening and background check services.