They Were the Best of Tenants, They Were the Worst of Tenants
You do your best to ensure that every property you manage is really managed: the grass is green, the pool is clean, and the dogs owners have plenty of doggie bags available to pick up after their favorite pooches—-but, there are some tenants who seem downright destined to throw wrenches into your well-oiled machine at every turn. They break a sprinkler head and neglect to tell you until the grass has been reduced to a squishy swamp, or they refuse to “follow-up” on any business meetings their dog has held on the common ground lawns—-and you’d rather not think about how they may have ignored the pool guidelines. What’s the solution? Read on for some tips on tenant screening that may save you—-as well as your responsible tenants—-some frustration and heartache later.
To Rent, or Not to Rent
As a property manager, you know that quality tenants are the key to your long-term success. You know firsthand that allowing difficult tenants some leeway after they’ve repeatedly exhibited some questionable behavior can only serve to unsettle the balance you’ve developed with your responsible ones; you want to keep the less respectful ones from pushing the respectful ones away. It is best practice to take full advantage of the legally available methods of tenant screening to consider during an application. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, color, gender, disability or family status and requires that reasonable accommodation be made for persons who are physically challenged. However, as a property manager, you can get creative in your methods of tenant screening without violating any anti-discrimination laws:
- Do it With the Gram: Create some guidelines to adhere to that you’ll follow for every single applicant. If you search one Facebook page, search them for each applicant. If you have a strict “no pet” policy, but you have a sneaking suspicion that your applicant has a cat they haven’t told you about, take a peek at their Instagram for a clue. Follow a documented routine to the letter to avoid a breach in the Fair Housing Law.
- Trust, But Verify: Pay stubs are pretty easy to fake these days. Ask for several months worth of bank statements instead. Some people only get paid via cash, but a bank statement will still indicate their employment track record.
- Two Heads are Better than One: Contact at least two previous landlords before you settle on a tenant. Their preceding landlord might overstate their appreciation of their tenant just hoping that they’ll move out, and take their trouble with them.
Sharing Values
If you follow the above precepts, you’ll have an edge when it comes to screening which potential tenants will be the right renters for you and your community. However, you’ll also have to work on your discernment, and gut feelings. Sometimes, people who look absolutely perfect on paper just won’t share the same values of respect, growth, and cooperation that you’ve fostered on your property. At the same time, another less than ideal candidate might just need a second chance to make a fresh start, and shares the same vision for their future that you do for yours.
