As a landlord, you want to rent your property to a suitable tenant who can pay rent on time and take good care of the rental unit. The best way to confirm whether a prospective renter is a responsible tenant this is to check renter references before a lease is signed.
The process involves asking the prospective tenant for character references who can speak to their history as a renter, and then asking their references a series of questions.
Characteristics of a High-Quality Renter
Before you start the rental reference questions process, you should first understand the characteristics of a high-quality renter.
One of the qualifying factors most landlords consider is an individual who pays rent on time. However, this single attribute doesn’t make a person a high-quality tenant; many other qualities go into this designation.
As a landlord, you should focus on individuals who possess the following personal traits:
- Has a solid history of steady employment.
- Is kind and courteous.
- Demonstrates respect for and maintains rental property.
- Is prompt at making maintenance requests.
It is important to note that high quality is not a synonym for high maintenance. While renters might meet all the above characteristics, some may demand special treatment and could overreact, especially when it comes to maintenance services. To avoid this problem, the landlord can implement specific tenant-screening protocols.
Four Areas To Consider When Screening Renters
As a landlord, you want a general renter screening process, which involves verifying an individual’s background and asking rental references questions. The process involves learning about the prospective renter’s criminal, credit, and rental history, including income and employment.
Criminal History
The main aim of checking criminal history is to ensure that you don’t rent your property to a renter who could be a potential source of trouble for your property or neighborhood. You should especially screen for renters who have a record of violence or theft.
Rental History
Rental history provides insights into past rental behavior of prospective renters regarding how they behaved with other previous renters. Examining rental history, including eviction reports, can help you make an informed decision before signing a lease for an apartment or house.
Credit History
This tool measures a renter’s ability to pay rent. Good credit is an excellent indicator of an individual’s ability to pay rent on time. It generally gives assurance that a prospective renter is a less risky option.
Income and Employment
Landlords use income and employment history to validate a renter’s ability to pay rent. Here the landlord reviews the renter’s income and employment status. You can verify the information by calling the individual’s place of employment and speaking with a human resources representative to request a reference letter that confirms the renter’s work experience, income, and work history.
Questions To Ask Renter References
Tenant referencing involves questioning three primary parties: the renter’s employer, previous landlords, and renter. While the process may seem cumbersome for most landlords, the time taken for tenant referencing is a small investment that makes a significant decision in a rental decision.
Consider the following questions for a rental reference check:
Questions To Ask Previous Landlord References
- Did the renter make rent payments in full and on time?
- Did the renter abide by the rules of the lease?
- What was the monthly rental charge?
- How long was the tenancy?
- Did the renter maintain the property to the best of his or her ability?
- Did the renter own any pets?
- Were there any complaints from neighboring renters?
- What are the reasons that contributed to the vacancy?
- Did the renter give proper notice before leaving?
- Would you rent to this individual again?
Questions To Ask a Renter’s Employer Reference
- Does the prospective renter work at your company?
- What are the terms of employment for the renter?
- What is the monthly wage or hourly rate for the renter?
- How long has the renter worked at the company?
- How would you describe the renter’s job title and position requirements?
- Has the renter ever had issues in the workplace or faced disciplinary action?
- What is it like to work with the renter?
- How would you rate the renter’s job performance?
- How many hours does the renter work at the company?
- What is the long-term job prospect for the renter?
Questions To Ask Renter References That Include Family Members, Friends, or Partners
- How can you define your relationship with the renter?
- What is the renter’s overall character?
- How long have you known the renter?
- Will you contribute to the renter’s monthly rent?
- What do you know about the renter’s employment history?
- How can you describe the renter’s previous or current house or apartment?
- Does the renter tend to host large parties at the residence?
- Does the renter use tobacco products or any illicit drugs?
- Has the renter ever been evicted from an apartment or house in the past?
- Does the renter own any pets?
And remember — certain questions, like those about religious affiliations and public assistance, are off-limits.
Verifying Authentic Renters
Unfortunately, you may discover that not all prospective renters are truthful with the information they may provide. Some may ask friends to falsify the information they provide, which is why you also want to verify the identity of all references you plan to contact.
A legitimate landlord will be able to provide you with qualifying information, such as available apartments in their management portfolio, upon request. For further background identity verification, request a mailing address, rental amount, and lease term when formulating your questions to ask a previous landlord reference.
If you need help with screening tenants, we recommend checking out our landlord resources available through Zumper. We offer a free credit check service and an online application process, making it easier to find reliable renters who will take care of your property and provide a pleasant experience for everyone.
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