Top Questions Landlords Should Ask Potential Tenants
As a landlord, there are a variety of questions you should be asking potential tenants to ensure that you are making informed decisions and protecting your investment. In this blog post, we’ll cover some of the top questions landlords should be asking.
Can You Tell Me About Your Rental History?
One of the most critical questions to ask a potential tenant is about their rental history. You’ll want to find out where they’ve lived before, why they left their previous rental, and if they have any evictions on their record. This information will give you a sense of how responsible they are as a tenant and whether they are likely to pay rent on time and take care of your property.
What is Your Employment Status?
It’s important to ask potential tenants about their employment status to ensure that they have a stable income and can afford to pay rent. You’ll want to find out where they work, how long they’ve been employed, and how much they earn. You may also want to ask for a reference from their employer to verify their employment status.
Have You Ever Been Convicted of a Crime?
It’s legal to ask potential tenants if they’ve ever been convicted of a crime, but you’ll need to be careful not to discriminate against them based on their answer. If a tenant has a criminal record, you’ll want to consider the nature of the crime, how long ago it occurred, and whether they’ve been rehabilitated.
Do You Have Any Pets?
If you allow pets in your rental property, you’ll want to ask potential tenants about their pets. Find out how many pets they have, what type of pets they are, and whether they’ve had any issues with their pets in previous rentals. You may also want to consider requiring a pet deposit to cover any damages that may be caused by the pet.
How Long Do You Plan On Staying?
It’s important to ask potential tenants how long they plan on staying in your rental property. This will give you a sense of whether they are looking for a long-term rental or if they are just looking for a temporary solution. If you’re looking for a long-term tenant, you may want to give preference to those who are planning on staying for a year or more.
Overall, asking these questions can help you make informed decisions about potential tenants and protect your investment. By getting to know your tenants before they move in, you can increase the likelihood of a successful rental experience for both you and your tenants.