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In the United States, there are over 43 million renters and that number increases all the time.
In such a sea of people, it can be difficult to know if you are getting good tenants or not. That is where tenant screening comes into play. If you can screen your tenants you will have a much better chance of getting good renters.
So what does tenant screening look like and how can you improve your process?
1. Talk to the Tenant
While you can speak to them over the phone, speaking in person is even better. This allows you to get an idea of how they act, dress, and conduct themselves. This information can help you determine quite a bit about them and how they may treat your property.
2. Credit Report
A credit report can tell you a great deal about how a person spends and their habits. This in turn can inform your decision about whether or not you want to rent to them. It will reveal whether or not they pay on time, and how responsible they are.
3. Verify Employment and Income
Never take a prospective tenant's word for it, always double-check them. Call their work, verify that they work there. Ask for pay stubs so you can make sure they are earning what they claim and can afford to rent from you.
4. Criminal History
Always check to see if new tenants have a criminal history. This will show up on any background check and you can also call and find out if they have any pending charges or warrants. If they do have a criminal history, you can see what it’s for.
5. Conduct an Internet Search
It may seem simple, but you can learn a lot by using Google or another search engine and simply typing in a name. Not all people will have much info appear, but for many people, they will have an entire history online available to you.
6. Background Checks
You can hire a company to conduct background checks for you. If you’re in the Houston, TX area you can even rely on a professional management service for tenant screening help and landlord guides. This can take a lot of the hassle out of tenant screening processes.
7. Verify Who Lives at Your Property
Tenant selection is important, and knowing that you are screening the right people is vital. Make sure that they aren’t trying to trick you or get around tenant screening. Check that the people who are on the application are the only people who are living on your property.
Tenant Screening
If you want to be successful with your property, tenant screening is an essential part of the business. HomeRiver Group Houston serves the Houston, TX area. We have decades of combined experience in managing properties. With our management help, you can achieve all of your business goals.
If you want assistance in managing your properties in or around the Houston area, simply contact HomeRiver Group Houston today.
