As real estate prices rise, an increasing number of people are looking to rent in many areas of the U.S. Most landlords have a list of common landlord concerns that should factor into their screening process.
The following landlord concerns are the top six tenant issues landlords face – as well as how to handle them:
1. Payment Issues
The number one landlord concern regarding tenants is worries about their ability to pay the rent in full and on time every month. To help ensure a good payment history, landlords should verify that the monthly rent comprises no more than 30 percent of the applicant’s household income. Verifying employment and getting a credit check can also help with ensuring that a financially viable tenant is chosen.
2. Past Evictions And Other Related Landlord Concerns
The second concern most landlords have is regarding the applicant’s past rental history. Have they ever been evicted before? Getting an eviction report and/or calling previous landlords and finding out the reasons for any gaps in reported living history are some ways to uncover past problems as a tenant.
3. Criminal History
Most landlords don’t want to rent to persons who are potentially dishonest or dangerous. A background check and/or a professional tenant screening service can help to uncover these types of landlord concerns.
4. Lying on the Rental Application
Just because it’s listed on a rental application doesn’t mean it’s true. Landlords can verify information shared by applicants by calling the phone numbers given for their employer, past landlords and personal references. Tenant screening can yield additional verification.
5. High Maintenance – Calls a Lot, Makes Lots of Requests
Another potential nightmare for landlords is a tenant who calls them too frequently over small or inconsequential matters. This type of tenant may be a complainer, or just overly talkative. Interviewing applicants ahead of time can allow landlords to learn how to screen for this type of “high maintenance” and potentially disruptive client.
6. Will Break the Lease and Move Too Soon
Lastly, landlords are also averse to tenants who move too frequently. These landlord concerns can be solved by having the renter sign a lease for an agreed-upon period of time, usually one year. The landlord can include a penalty such as forfeit of the security deposit if the lease is broken.
Landlords who are proactive about these six common landlord concerns are far less likely to be negatively impacted by them. Using a professional tenant screening service can assist in avoiding many of these issues.
Source: http://rebusinessonline.com/low-turnover-higher-rental-prices-lead-to-attractive-apartment-market-for-landlords/
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