Finding the Perfect Fit: A Landlord’s Guide to Selecting Suitable Tenant

09 October 2024

Even if your rental property isn’t the lifeblood of your income, it’s likely a big part of it. With that in mind, you need tenants who will take care of it, pay their rent on time, and report maintenance needs in a timely manner. But how can you be considerably certain that they meet these criteria?

In this article, we will provide a short guide for choosing the best tenants. Whether you’re a first-time landlord and just purchased your first apartment complex or you’ve been at this for a while, there are likely some aspects you haven’t thought of.

But first, Whats a tenant?

A tenant is a person or an entity who temporarily inhabits another person’s (known as the landlord) property in exchange for an agreed-upon sum of money (rent). There are different types of tenants, such as:

Residential Tenants: Individuals or families renting a home or apartment for living purposes.
Commercial Tenants: Businesses that lease office space, retail stores, or other commercial properties.
Industrial Tenants: Companies that rent warehouses, factories, or other industrial spaces.

Here are some other key points you should know about tenants.

Rental Agreement

Tenants typically enter into a rental agreement or lease with the landlord. The terms of use of the tenancy, including the duration of stay or possession, rent amount, and main responsibilities of both parties, are mentioned in this piece of document.

Security Deposit

Tenants often pay a security deposit at the start of the tenancy. The landlord keeps this deposit and uses it to pay for any damages to the rental or unpaid rent when the tenant moves out.

Lease Duration

Tenancies can be short-term (month-to-month) or long-term (typically one year or more). The lease duration is specified in the rental agreement.

Renewal and Termination

At the end of the lease term, the tenant and landlord can agree to renew the lease, or the tenant can choose to move out. Proper notice, as specified in the lease, is usually required for termination.

Eviction

If a tenant fails to comply with the lease terms, such as not paying rent or damaging the property, the landlord may initiate eviction proceedings. However, this process must follow legal procedures to protect the tenant’s rights.

How To Choose A Tenant For Your Rental?

Now that you know who is a tenant, let us take a look at some of some of the aspects you need to keep in mind while choosing a suitable tenant for your rental:

A Major Rule

Per The Fair Housing Act, you have to remember that when it comes to purchasing, selling, renting, or financing a home, it’s illegal to discriminate based on:

Nationality
Race
Skin color
Sex
Religion

However, you’re not prohibited from basing your decision on the results of a criminal background check.

The Listing

The first thing to remember is that a great rental listing will generally pique the interest of higher-quality applicants and garner more interest overall. To make a quality listing, everyone knows you must have a title that includes the price and the number of bedrooms/bathrooms. But you need to make it stand out with something a little more catchy by highlighting a great feature of the property. Try something along the lines of:

3 bedroom/1.5 bath home with a large backyard with brand new sod, close to schools and parks

In your description, you should use positive descriptors (spacious, cozy, beautiful) to highlight the best features (en suites, fireplace, swimming pool), give details about the area (near downtown, amenities), details about the rental (pets are/aren’t allowed, deposit required, no-smoking) and how potential renters should get in touch with you.

Criteria

If you want to lessen the chances of serving an eviction notice for non-payment, property damage, or other major issues, you need to set the right criteria from the start. Two of the strongest aspects you should consider are credit score and rental history.

While you don’t want to come across as a dreadful landlord, being strict and applying your criteria fairly will help ensure that your new tenant meets the standard you desire. A good place to start is somewhere along the lines of requiring at least a 650 credit score, not having any prior evictions, bankruptcies, or a felony record, and making at least 3x the rent.

Whether you have listed your rental on Zillow, Craigslist, or other listing services, you not only need to be strict in your criteria, but you also need to prescreen them before you even set a face-to-face interview date. You should also prepare pre-screening questionnaires to efficiently determine which leads are worthwhile and which should be put in the rejected folder. However, when making your criteria list, be sure to keep the Fair Housing Act and local tenant rights laws in mind.

Final Checks

Of course, the next logical step is the interviews of potential renters, but that doesn’t mean you will make the first applicant you interview sign a lease on the spot. Take the time to check references from previous landlords, as they can often give you insight that your tenant screening report couldn’t give you. For example, they may have had a lot of neighbor complaints, or they were constantly complaining about minor issues.

Another thing you should definitely do is a quick Google search of their name. Sometimes, you can find out more this way than with a tenant report. For example, on their application, they claim they’ve worked for sixteen years as an electrician, but the career history on their LinkedIn profile doesn’t match.

Don’t be afraid to do a little sleuthing!

Best Practices To Follow While Interviewing Potential Renters

Conducting face-to-face and thorough interviews and checking references are crucial steps and will help you choose the best tenants for your rental. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure that the interview process goes smoothly.

Verify Identity: Ask for a government-issued ID to confirm the applicant’s identity. This helps prevent fraud and ensures you are dealing with the correct person.

Discuss Financial Stability: Inquire about the applicant’s income, employment status, and any other sources of income. A general rule is that the rent should not exceed 30% of their monthly income.

Understand Rental History: Ask about their previous rental experiences, including how long they stayed at each place and their reasons for leaving. This can provide insights into their reliability and stability as a tenant.

Lifestyle and Habits: Discuss their lifestyle to ensure it aligns with your property’s rules. For example, ask about pets, smoking habits, and how they maintain their living space.

In closing, to find suitable tenants, you should have strict eligibility criteria that also meet the standard of The Fair Housing Act. After shortlisting a few possible tenants, conduct a thorough background check along with a bit of investigative work to choose the best tenant for your rental.

Read More…

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Finding The Right Moving Company

Moving can be tedious when you have a lot of stuff. Packing up your belongings, loading the truck, renting the truck, unloading the truck, and driving it to the new place. This process consumes a lot of time and you may opt to hire a firm that will either do all or part of the transportation logistics (like Movegreen, a moving company in Orange County, as well as Santa Barbara and Ventura). Even though hiring a company can save you stress and time, employing the wrong company will add to it. Protecting your belongings and yourself requires you to choose the right moving company. Finding The Right Moving Company: 1. How much do you want the moving company to move to? The saying of hiring an individual to do almost all things for you at a price is true. Many individuals choose to box their belongings by themselves and hire movers to load, transport and unload the luggage. Some individuals, especially when they are moving across the borders, might hire movers and rent a truck to box the luggage and pack the truck, then drive the trucks by themselves. Other people will hire the movers to carry out everything by themselves. They even allow them to arrange the items in rooms after delivering them to the destination. 2. How much is your movement budget? The moving company will add everything you possess to the bill they will charge you. If you have a tight budget, you will have to balance convenience and quality against the cost. You will have to do some activities by yourself so that you hire movers to handle difficult areas like loading, driving, and offloading the truck. Make a comparison between moving companies so that you choose the one the suits your requirements. 3. The distance of the movement: Moving long distances will affect two aspects when choosing movement companies: the movement cost and companies you are choosing from. Local companies may not afford to move you across state borders and lines. When planning for a long-distance, it is advisable to hire a royal moving company in advance to ensure availability. 4. Does the company provide insurance against damage and loss of property? You have invested a lot of capital in your belongings. Think of the money you need to purchase others in the event something happens during the move. Many firms usually reimburse part of the lost items when a loss takes place. You need to ask the company the amount they pay for lost and damaged items and make sure that you get a written copy of the policy. The coverage policy of royal moving company covers all aspects of ensuring that you get everything you want in your company. Conclusion: The reputation of the company needs to give you guidance when choosing the right company for your job. Upon request, the right firm needs to give you references to confirm their reputation. You need to check the references as the company might offer those that are only positive. The best reference for you is the referral a friend gives you. It is important to use a reference you get from the person you know. Hiring movers is similar to putting your life in the hands of another person. Royal moving company will make sure that all your furniture, kitchenware, and clothing gets to the destination without damage. Read Also: 10 Things To Do Before You Move Out Of State The Ultimate Moving Checklist – Things You Need To Do When Moving Our Guide To Finding The Cheapest New York City Movers Avoid These 4 Mistakes During Multi-Family Housing Renovation

5 Unexpected Expenses of First-Time Renters

Whether you’re leaving school or your parents’ home, moving into your first place can be exciting. But as first-time renters, you’ll also have to navigate the world of leases, landlords, and independent living expenses. To help you prepare for your big move, let’s look at a handful of sometimes unexpected expenses new renters are faced with. 5 Unexpected Expenses of First-Time Renters: 1. Furniture: You might have a few pieces of furniture you can take to your new apartments, such as your old bed from your parents’ place or smaller items and décor you had in your dorm room. But your first apartment will likely be the biggest space you’ve had to furnish so far. At a bare minimum, you’ll want to budget for a bed, a couch, and a simple dining set. But you also may need a TV stand, a dresser, a desk, and more seating if you plan to entertain frequently. And those are just the big items. Smaller tables, chairs, and decorative items would still have to be worked into your budget, though you don’t need them all upfront. 2. Pet Deposit or Fee: If you plan to have a pet in your new rental, know that many landlords will charge you extra. That could mean a pet deposit, which can range from a small fee to a full month’s extra rent. They could charge you “pet rent”—a monthly add-on fee to your rent. Some landlords charge both. These fees cover potential damage from pets, like odor or scratched floors, when you move out. They vary widely though, so be sure to compare your options before getting your heart set on a place. 3. Security Deposits: When you move into a new apartment, you don’t simply start paying the regular rent. You’ll almost always be required to pay a security deposit before you can move in. The amount can vary from one landlord to the next, but you can generally expect to pay at least a month’s rent as your security deposit. 4. Renter’s Insurance: If you move into a new apartment and disaster strikes—like a fire that causes you to lose most of your possessions—you might assume your landlord’s insurance will cover what you lost. But that isn’t the case. Your landlord’s insurance will cover the structure itself, but you’re responsible for insuring your belongings. That means taking on another expense you might not have considered: renter’s insurance. 6. Utilities: If you’re used to living under someone else’s roof or at college, you might not be used to paying for all your own utilities. These expenses can also come as a surprise. Of course, there’s the usual electric bill, internet, and cell phone service. But you’ll also need to cover cable (or a streaming service like PlayStation Vue or Philo for cord-cutters) and possibly water, sewage, and trash collection fees as well. Knowing your future costs upfront can help you better prepare when searching for your first apartment. Keep these expenses in mind when setting your budget, both monthly as well as for the move itself. Read Also: Apartment Hunting Like A Pro 7 Expert Hacks For Downsizing To A Smaller Apartment Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?

Construction Safety Systems: Promoting A Safer Industry

Safety is a critical factor in any construction site. However, some construction workers and management overlook safety until an accident happens. Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous professions since many accidents occur, leading to injuries. Therefore, employers and professionals managing construction projects should use safety systems for ethical and financial reasons. They should also ensure that the workers understand the risks and are cautious when working in hazardous situations. This is because accidents and injuries in construction sites lead to medical bills, project delays, lost work hours, compensation lawsuits, and headaches for human resource departments. This piece highlights how construction project managers can promote safety and prevent workplace accidents. What Is Construction Site Protection? Construction site protection is nothing but keeping yourself and others from construction-associated activities like injury, disease, and even death. It is often a hazardous endeavor where site employees are exposed to potential risks. For instance, a worker is working at a height or relocating machinery which is extremely heavy. The resulting causes of a construction site fatality include electrocution, falls, and crush injuries. Common Hazards Taking Place At A Construction Site Hazards taking place at a construction site have caused deaths and injuries all across the world. When hazard identifications fail, it is either due to a lack of safety systems or improper training. Before we delve into the ways of maintaining construction-place safety, let us first discover what are the common hazards that take place in a site: Falling From Heights One of the most common fatal injuries that site workers experience is falling from height. According to HSE, 47% of employee fatalities are caused by falling from heights. Every employee who operates at height requires proper training and the right set of equipment. Although safety harnesses are important at every construction site, some do not wear them and, as a result, fall from height. Trips, Falls & Slips Another very common construction hazard is trips, slips, and falls. Construction sites usually have uneven terrain and unchanged terrain. Hence, trips, falls, and slips are no surprises at all. More than seven thousand construction workers are either injured severely or die due to a major trip or fall. It is the duty of managers and site supervisors to manage the site effectively to ensure the safe movement of workers. Tremendous Noise A lot of workers have complained about prolonged hearing problems and deafness when they work around loud and repetitive noises. They are also a dangerous distraction that distracts a worker from his job and results in accidents. A comprehensive assessment stating noise risk must be highlighted to avoid noise-related construction site hazards. Steps To Maintain Safety In A Construction Site Workplace safety is a significant consideration- irrespective of where you work. But when it comes to construction, particularly, one must always be careful. Even the smallest mistake can result in a life-altering consequence. Thinking about how to do so? Here are a set of steps that might help you: Create Awareness About Safety Hazards Ignorant workers are among the most significant dangers because they could make terrible mistakes, putting everyone at risk. Construction site managers should ensure the workers understand the possible hazards before they set foot on a construction site. Understanding the risks ensures workers stay alert to prevent and respond to accidents. Therefore, employers should use OSHA safety guidelines to equip workers with the necessary knowledge to enhance safety. Only workers or visitors aware of the dangers of a construction site should be allowed access. Quality Equipment Workers need quality equipment and a spacious workplace to perform their tasks without causing accidents. Wrong or faulty equipment increases the chances of accidents and injuries. Therefore, construction managers should pay attention to equipment maintenance schedules and provide quality safety systems. They can also seek help from Doka and other companies that provide safety systems and equipment. It is also crucial to prevent exposure-related issues such as dehydration by providing water and using personal protective equipment. Training Workers Some construction workers gain skills on the job, but safety training is best offered before accessing the site. The authorities concerned with workplace safety often publish resources to help construction companies train their workers. For example, they provide worksheets, pamphlets, training videos, and sometimes one-on-one training. Safety training is important not just for new workers but also for experienced workers. Therefore, construction firms should organize training to ensure all the workers gain or refresh their safety knowledge. The safety training can focus on simple things such as using a ladder or fall protection to ensure all the workers are well informed. Documentation Proper documentation is crucial for workplace safety. Construction sites must meet certain legal and safety standards before construction work begins. Therefore, construction firms should only commence operations with relevant licenses and documents. Contractors undertaking specific tasks such as blasting must provide relevant certification before accessing the site. Documentation protects the construction firm and helps prevent accidents and public scrutiny. Effective Communication Accidents usually happen when the workers are unaware of what to do or expect in a certain situation. However, sharing information about construction goals, objectives, and daily activities can reduce surprises or mistakes that could cause harm. Besides, the construction management should provide communication devices and tools such as headsets, walkie-talkies, and smartphones to ensure effective communication about workplace hazards. Effective communication ensures everyone is informed, enhancing operations and reducing safety risks. Supervision Construction employees should always follow the relevant safety guidelines and institute mitigation measures. However, since not all workers will follow the relevant procedures, supervision can help identify loopholes and enforce safety standards. For example, supervisors should keep tabs on all workers and ensure they have relevant safety gear. The workers should report any safety concerns to the supervisor for appropriate mitigation measures. The Bottom Line… Stay Safe! Construction companies should build quality structures while minimizing accidents, injuries, deaths, and related lawsuits. The hope of reducing accidents in construction sites lies in raising awareness, safety training, effective communication, supervision, documentation, and quality equipment. These simple things can help reduce accidents, enhance safety, and prevent legal issues associated with workplace accidents. Read Also: Senior Staircase Safety: What You Need to Know Construction Safety – What you didn’t know! Top 7 Safety Tips For Road Construction

Finding the Perfect Fit: A Landlord’s Guide to Selecting Suitable Tenant