Tenant screening is an essential part of the rental process for every landlord. There are over 48 million potential tenants in the US, so it’s important to know who you’re letting into your property.
Some tenants will be great while others will be terrible fits for your neighborhood. However, if you don’t do any tenant screening at all, there’s no way for you to tell which type of resident they’ll be until after they move in.
Tenant screening can help prevent problems such as eviction, non-payment of rent, and vandalism. It can also help you avoid legal battles. If you are not convinced of the importance of screening tenants, keep reading to learn about some reasons why it’s so crucial.
The Importance of Tenant Screening
Tenant screening is important to protect landlords from bad tenants, but it’s also important to protect current tenants from bad neighbors.
Imagine you’re renting out an apartment and one of the new tenants turns out to engage in illegal activity. The loud parties, the smell of marijuana in the hallways, and the constant stream of shady-looking people coming and going from your property all make for an uncomfortable living experience. Even if this doesn’t happen, your other tenants may not feel comfortable having lawbreakers so close by.
Screening services can help you avoid this type of renter by performing a criminal background check before they move into your building. It will also help you find tenants who are financially responsible and have a history of paying their rent on time.
What Should Be Included in the Tenant Background Check?
Screening tenants is a comprehensive process that includes:
Income
Criminal background
Employment history
You may think that knowing all of this information about your renters is invasive. However, it’s important to remember that you have a legal obligation as a landlord to protect yourself and your property from bad occupants. By performing a thorough tenant background check on each potential renter, you can make sure that they meet the requirements of their lease agreement and are financially responsible.
How to Screen Tenants
It’s important to make sure that the person or people who are moving in will pay rent on time each month. This can be difficult for landlords who don’t have a background in property management or finance. However, there is an easy way around this with tenant screening services.
You can opt for a full background check or simply run credit reports on potential tenants to see if they have any debt or unpaid bills. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for tenant screening; however, a clean criminal record should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to rent from you.
Find Trustworthy Renters
Tenant screening gives you peace of mind knowing that your renters are responsible individuals who take care of their belongings and properties. It’s an essential process, but it’s not an easy one. Performing a screening on your own can be time-consuming and expensive.
For that reason, it’s best to partner with us at Blue Line Property Management. We can advise you on tenant screening and advertise your property to responsible lessees.
Contact us today for more information on our services. We’ll help you find a tenant you can rely on.
