As a landlord, finding the right tenant is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. After all, you’re entrusting your valuable property to someone else’s care. Asking the right questions to ask potential tenants can help you screen applicants and choose a reliable, responsible renter. In this article, we’ll share the top 10 questions to ask tenants before renting to ensure a successful tenancy.
Why Tenant Screening Matters
Thorough tenant screening is essential for protecting your investment and minimizing the risk of problems down the road. By asking the right questions to ask tenants and conducting proper background checks, you can verify the tenant’s identity, income, and employment status.
You can also assess their ability to pay rent consistently and on time, uncover any past evictions, lease violations, or criminal history, ensure compliance with occupancy laws and other rental regulations, and gauge the tenant’s level of responsibility and communication skills.
Taking the time to screen tenants carefully can save you countless headaches and legal issues in the long run. It can also help you build positive, long-term relationships with your renters and maintain a stable, profitable rental business.
10 Questions to Ask Potential Tenants
1. Why are you moving?
This simple question can reveal a lot about a potential tenant’s current situation and motivation for renting your property. Some common reasons for moving include:
- Job relocation or change in employment
- Outgrowing current living space
- Seeking a better location or amenities
- Dissatisfaction with current landlord or living conditions
Listen carefully to the tenant’s response and look for any red flags, such as being evicted from their previous rental or having conflicts with their landlord or neighbors.
2. When are you looking to move in?
Knowing the tenant’s desired move-in date can help you plan ahead and coordinate any necessary repairs or cleaning before they arrive. It can also give you insight into how soon they need to find a place and whether they might be more likely to accept your terms.
- If the tenant needs to move in immediately, they may be more willing to compromise on certain aspects of the lease or rental price.
- If they have a flexible timeline, you may have more room to negotiate terms that work best for both parties.
3. What is your monthly income?
Questions to ask tenants about their income are crucial for determining if they can afford the rent and other expenses associated with your property. A general rule of thumb is that a tenant’s monthly income should be at least three times the rental price.
- Ask for proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
- If the tenant is self-employed or has multiple sources of income, request additional documentation to verify their financial stability.
- Be aware of any legal restrictions on income requirements in your area, such as rent control laws or fair housing regulations.
4. Can you provide references from previous landlords?
Contacting previous landlords is one of the best ways to get an honest assessment of a tenant’s rental history and behavior. Questions to ask tenants before renting should include a request for at least two or three references from prior landlords.
- Ask the previous landlords about the tenant’s payment history, any late or missed rent payments, and whether they would rent to the tenant again.
- Inquire about any complaints from neighbors or damage to the property during the tenant’s stay.
- If the tenant is a first-time renter or doesn’t have a rental history, consider asking for personal references instead, such as employers or professors.
5. How many people will be living in the rental?
It’s important to know how many occupants will be living in your rental property to ensure compliance with local occupancy laws and to assess wear and tear on the unit. Be clear about your policy on additional occupants and guests.
- Ask for the names and ages of all intended occupants, including children and pets.
- Specify any restrictions on long-term guests or subleasing in the lease agreement.
- If you allow pets, ask about the type, breed, and size of any animals that will be living in the rental.
6. Do you have any pets?
Pets can be a contentious issue for landlords and tenants alike. Some landlords may choose not to allow pets at all, while others may have specific restrictions or require additional fees or deposits.
- If you do allow pets, ask about the type, breed, size, and number of animals the tenant owns.
- Request proof of current vaccinations and licenses for any pets.
- Consider requiring a pet resume or references from previous landlords to gauge the animal’s behavior and the tenant’s responsibility as a pet owner.
7. Have you ever been evicted or asked to leave a rental property?
This is one of the most critical questions to ask potential tenants, as a history of evictions or lease violations can be a major red flag. While some evictions may be due to extenuating circumstances, such as job loss or medical issues, a pattern of evictions can indicate a high-risk tenant.
- Ask the tenant to explain the circumstances surrounding any prior evictions or lease terminations.
- Verify the information provided by the tenant with court records or previous landlords.
- If the tenant has a legitimate explanation and can demonstrate improved financial stability or rental history since the eviction, you may still consider renting to them with additional safeguards in place, such as a higher security deposit or co-signer.
8. Can you provide proof of employment and income stability?
In addition to verifying the tenant’s current income, it’s also important to assess their employment stability and ability to pay rent consistently over time. Questions to ask tenants about their employment should include:
- How long have you been with your current employer?
- What is your position or job title?
- Can you provide contact information for your supervisor or HR department?
- Do you anticipate any changes to your employment or income in the near future?
Ideally, you want to see a stable employment history of at least six months to a year, with a consistent or increasing income. If the tenant is self-employed or has multiple sources of income, ask for additional documentation such as tax returns, business licenses, or contracts.
9. Are you willing to submit to a background and credit check?
Running a thorough background and credit check on potential tenants is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your property. These checks can reveal any criminal history, past evictions, or financial red flags that may not come up in other screening questions.
- Explain your screening process upfront and obtain written consent from the tenant to run a background and credit check.
- Use a reputable screening service that complies with all federal and state fair housing and credit reporting laws.
- Be consistent in your screening criteria and apply the same standards to all applicants to avoid discrimination claims.
10. Do you have any questions or concerns about the rental or lease agreement?
Finally, give the tenant an opportunity to ask their own questions and clarify any concerns they may have about the rental property or lease terms. This can help build trust and communication between you and the tenant, and ensure that everyone is on the same page before signing the lease.
- Provide a copy of the lease agreement for the tenant to review before signing.
- Highlight any important policies or rules, such as rent payment procedures, maintenance requests, or parking regulations.
- Be open to negotiating certain terms, such as the length of the lease or the amount of the security deposit, within reason.
What to Do With Tenant Screening Information
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information and answers from potential tenants, it’s important to use that information wisely and legally in your decision-making process.
- Evaluate each applicant based on consistent, objective criteria such as credit score, income, rental history, and references.
- Document your screening process and keep records of all applications and background checks for at least two years.
- Notify applicants of your decision in a timely manner and provide a reason for any denials based on specific screening criteria.
- If you choose to deny an applicant based on information in their credit report, provide an adverse action notice in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Keep all tenant information confidential and secure, and dispose of any records properly when no longer needed.
By following these best practices and asking the right questions to ask tenants before signing a lease, you can minimize your risk as a landlord and find reliable, responsible tenants for your rental property. Remember, taking the time to screen tenants thoroughly upfront can save you a lot of headaches and costly evictions down the road.
Conclusion
Asking the right questions to ask potential tenants is a critical step in the tenant screening process for any landlord. By covering these top 10 questions and bonus topics, you’ll be well-equipped to evaluate applicants and choose the best fit for your rental property.
Remember to always comply with fair housing laws and protect tenant privacy throughout the screening process. With a thorough and consistent approach to tenant screening, you can build a strong foundation for a successful and profitable rental business.
