Being a landlord has it’s good days and bad days, just like any other business. For this particular landlord, I'm sure she would say that this is one of the bad days.
Unfortunately, this could happen to anyone. But, we'd all be out of the business if it happened all the time. The good news is that this kind of thing doesn’t happen often, if tenants are carefully screened and considered before placing them in a rental. Sometimes, it’s hard to predict what a tenant is going to be like or how they are going to care for a place when they move in .
This tenant was evicted for non payment of rent. And, she moved a dog on the dangerous dogs list into the property, and that dog had pups – 6 of them. So, the momma and the pups were allowed to run all over the property pooping and urinating everywhere.
This tenant was also being difficult to neighbors and new tenants that were trying to rent the empty unit next door (one of the downsides of owning a duplex).
The positive side of this situation is that there was no structural damage to this owner's property. There are no holes in the walls, the kitchen cabinets and appliances are in tact. There are no broken windows or doors. There are no broken ceiling fans or light fixtures. The property wasn't stripped. The bathrooms fixtures are in place, although filthy, and can be cleaned. I know it may seem crazy to some, but this landlord was fortunate, considering some of the evictions we have seen in the past.
In looking for a tenant here’s some pointers:
1 – Hire a professional, someone that has rental property of their own. This tenant was placed by a large property management company. I hate hearing that.
2-Qualify the tenant as thoroughly as you can over the phone. If they aren’t willing to answer your questions upfront, then they can’t see the place. Do not agree to meet everyone that calls you on the property. It’s a waste of time.
Are they renting now? How much are they paying? Why are they leaving? Do they have a lease? When is their lease up? If they are breaking their lease, remember they could do the same thing to you. Red flag.
Do they have any rental history at all? If not be careful.
Are they angry, hostile and complaining about their landlord? I’ve had some tell me they are currently suing their landlord. Listen carefully to their situation. There are some less than desirable landlords out there today. But remember, if they sue him, they could sue you, too. Red flag.
Are they rude, belligerent and short with you on the phone? Red flag. Remember this is a person that you are starting a business relationship with. You will be dealing with them for a year. How nice will they be when they’re calling you telling you the toilet is overflowing at midnight?
3- If you decide they are a good candidate and you are going to meet them out at the property, ask them the same questions you did on the phone. Be sure the answers are the same as the ones they gave you before. You may be surprised at some of the discrepancies in the answers. Another red flag.
4- When they fill out the rental application, check again for discrepancies. If they’re there, ask them about them.
Can one of the people moving in pay the rent on their own? If not, be careful. If it takes two and it’s a roommate situation, roommates split all the time and more often than not one is left holding the bag.
If they need a co signer, be careful. I don’t want someone living outside of the house that doesn’t have a vested interest in the property, to be a co signer. I don't care for co signers on a lease.
5- Pull a credit report, but don’t forget there are a lot of good clean folks out there that have just gone through a short sale or foreclosure. We have a tenant that moved out of a rental last month. We rented to him straight out of his short sale. He paid his rent on time every month and he gave the house back in as good a condition as when he got it.
6- Do a background check and criminal investigation.
7- Check the following lists: sex offender, most wanted, and terrorist.
8- If they are local, go to your Brevard County Clerk of Courts Website and check arrest record. Check for evictions, also. If they have oodles of traffic violations, this could be a difficult tenant for you. Red flag.
Typically, I won’t rent to them if they have been evicted or have a car repossession.
9- Check with their employer. How long have they been there and does it sound like they will be staying?
10- Some like to call previous landlords. For me, it depends on the situation. I’ve had tenants give me the name and number of a friend, saying they were the last landlord. If they’re being evicted from somewhere, they aren’t going to give you correct info. If they are renting a house, look in the Brevard County Property Appraisers website, find the owner of the property and find the phone number yourself.
If I’m evicting a tenant, I have to be careful what I say. The difficult part comes when trying to get rid of a difficult tenant that is tearing my place apart and not paying rent. What do you, should you or can you say to a new landlord?
11- Look at their car. Is it clean or a filthy mess? This could be an indication of how they will take care of your property.
12- Ask them to show you the inside of the property they are living in now. If they won’t, that could be another red flag. At the very least, do a drive by. I have been shocked in driving by a prospective tenant’s property. Remember, that's how your place will look in six months – no thank you.
13- Lastly, I have a policy of not taking the move in money in installments. I prefer to get it all at the signing of the lease. It starts the relationship off on the right foot.
NOTE: There are more good tenants out there, than bad ones. I've been renting to tenants for 14 years, and I've had many more good experiences than bad. Most tenants are good, hard working people, just trying to make a living, like you and me.
My intention is not for this post to presume that all prospective tenants are bad. The purpose of the post is to help avoid putting the wrong tenant in a property.
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