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Six Questions To Ask Prospective Tenants

As a real estate investment counselor I have the opportunity to interact with a lot of tenant/landlord situations. Of course, I manage my own properties and I help others to do the same if they choose not to go down the road of hiring a property manager.

I believe proper tenant screening is the best way to avoid troubles down the road. You should subscribe to a service that will run credit reports and criminal background checks and the sexual offenders list. But sometimes the best way to get a good feeling, or bad, about prospective tenants is just have a conversation with them. And throw in these questions. Not in bullet form as presented here. But in the course of showing the rental property and going over the lease application.

6 Questions to Ask Prospective Tenants

Why are you moving?
Lived there long?
Ever considered buying your own home? (comment: I don't ask because I'm a REALTOR. I ask because they will bring up credit issues, divorce issues, criminal issues, everything under the sun.)
What changes made to your current residence would make you want to stay?
What would your commute be from here?
Is there anything you need to explain before I find it on the credit report?

Seemingly innocuous questions designed to generate conversation. Give it a try. You'll find out a lot about the people.

Posted by Chris Lengquist, RIPS on 04/27/2007 12:04 AM

Comments (17)

real estate investing, property management, tenant screening

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17 Comments on Six Questions To Ask Prospective Tenants

That last question may be futile...most people I ask about there credit...which is several people a weeek...always seem to leave out the important stuff you know?

04/27/2007 12:15 AM

by Brad Patshkowski (Heritage Home Loans)

Good questions and line of thought. Maybe put it in a book. Unfortunately I may forget some of the information, that's why. thanks

04/27/2007 02:25 AM

by Clarion Mortgage Capital, Inc.

Brad - Believe me, I'm fully aware that honesty can be an issue. I ask anyway. I spent 9 years as an investigator. I ask because I want to see body language, eye movement. I want to hear tone of voice. Honesty weighs into my overall decision. Here in KC, I only tend to work on the $700 and above properties. And our market is getting much better for landlords. But even when it wasn't so good a couple of years ago I chose carefully. Rather be empty another month than the alternative. If you ask several a week, you know the alternative!

Larry - Thank you for your kind words.

04/27/2007 08:22 AM

by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)

Hi Chris, Those are great questions to ask. Thanks!!!

04/27/2007 01:59 PM

by Greg Herson (John L. Scott Real Estate)

I printed those up to tape on my desk. Nice One

Ben

04/27/2007 03:20 PM

by Q Q (Q)

Greg & Ben, Thank you.

04/27/2007 03:41 PM

by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)

Chris,

Great questions! The sublety is wonderful. It is amazing how much people will talk, but the body language can be even more telling!

02/28/2008 12:08 AM

by Bill Exeter (1031 Exchange Expert) (Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC)

I love the last question! Seems everyone has something and it's better to find out ahead of time.

02/28/2008 06:56 AM

by Sandra Workman ABR, CNHS, QSC, RCC (Speckman Realty Inc., GMAC)

Thank you. I believe in transparency.

02/28/2008 07:03 AM

by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)

When the prospect shows up to look at the property, look at their car. See if its clean. If its dirty, chances are they will not keep your rental clean.

02/28/2008 08:30 AM

by Brian Kreick (Kreick, Inc.)

I always like to sign the leases at their present home. That way I can back out after seeing the place...if necessary.

02/28/2008 01:55 PM

by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)

Live in New York City. My wife and I were new landlords. Long story short, we were naive. Didn't do a credit/background/employment checks. In the end, it took us one full year to get the tenants out. Now, we check out prospective tenants every which way. Best advice: We would rather keep the place empty until we find quality, reputable people than go through the time, expense and emotions of another eviction. Great website!

05/16/2008 03:24 PM

Great questions. Im going to sticky this on my desk too!

05/16/2008 10:34 PM

by Mike Wong Realtor, GRI (Keller Williams Realty Southwest)

Thanks Chris! I'm actually looking into investing and I'm going to print this off and keep it in my file until I need it!

05/17/2008 08:07 AM

by Michelle Bowman-MD Realtor-Kent Island ,Keller Williams-Pasadena, MD/Ft Meade (Keller Williams Select Realtors - Severna Park)

Hi Chris - I'm a rental property owner looking for tenants at the present time and I'm dreading it. I knew I'd find questions to ask on AR after doing a search. Then I came across your post. Thanks a lot!

06/04/2008 07:06 PM

by Denise O'Dell ~ CA Mobile Notary/Loan Signer/REALTOR® (SANTA CLARITA MOBILE NOTARY)

You are welcome.

06/04/2008 07:12 PM

by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)

Excellent post and responses~

07/28/2008 01:29 PM

by Keith Sorem (Keller Williams Realty)