As a rental property owner, finding the right types of tenants is one of the keys to success. Good tenants give you financial stability and a positive future with your rental properties.
The tenant screening process is one of the best strategies to employ when filling vacancies.
A simple tenant criminal background check won't cut it, though, when determining whether an applicant is suitable for your Kansas City property. Keep reading while we explain how we can help screen your applicants.
Qualities to Look for in a Tenant
The best tenants are those who pay the rent on time. They take care of the properties they inhabit. They are courteous, respectful, and proactive in communication with the landlord or property manager. They stay for a long time.
Application Questions
Asking direct questions on the application will not guarantee honest answers, but it's a good place to start. If the applicant has any answers that do not meet your minimum standards, you can weed them out before going any further.
Some unqualified potential tenants might not bother to fill out the application if they realize they won't qualify. This will save you from wasting time.
Identity Verification
Identity verification is an important first step. Is the potential applicant who he or she claims to be?
Get a copy of a government-issued ID and verify their social security number.
Tenant Criminal Background Check
You want to make sure you don't end up with a tenant who engages in criminal activity to avoid eviction or unwanted vacancy. Your goal is to avoid losing rental income.
A criminal background check will contain information related to felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, court orders, decrees, judgments, and jail time.
Sometimes it will show arrests, but not always. Some tenant screening services will show state or national convictions as well.
Check History
Can the applicant afford this property? Do they have good credit? Have they ever been evicted?
It's important to check the past behavior of the applicant. You don't want financial liability.
A credit history will show the past seven years of an applicant's financial history. It will list creditors, amounts owed, history of payments, collection accounts, and more.
Verify employment and income. Do a national eviction search.
Rent Payment History
Get dates and addresses of past residences. Get contact information from past landlords.
Were there any late or missed rent payments? Did the applicant ever break the landlord's rules? Any broken leases in the past?
The screening process may not always show missed payments. The best way to get that information is by talking to previous landlords.
Put Your Worries Away
Now you know that tenant screening involves more than a simple tenant criminal background check. If you want the peace of mind that comes with a thorough tenant screening, we have you covered.
We at PMI Destination Properties are a team of professionals dedicated to getting the right tenants for your property. We understand it's an important investment in your future.
Call us at 913.583.1515 or reach us through our website to schedule a consultation.
