What are the warning signs a landlord needs to be on the watch for when screening potential tenants? There are, of course, the financial warning signs that you receive once they have filled out an application, but there are 10
subtler warning signs to be alert for. By following gut instincts — and being aware of these warning signs — a small landlord can have better success in keeping their property rented to desirable tenants.
- Your phone rings during the last week of the month, and the voice on the other end of the line wants an apartment, any apartment, right now, and caller ID shows it is a local call.
- You can barely hear the voice on the phone because at 3PM in the afternoon the sound of the party in the background is drowning it out.
- The only question you get is “When can we move in?” and they never ask “How much is it?” If they don’t care how much it is — they may not intend on every paying beyond the security deposit.
- The potential tenant arrives with a bunch of people — none of whom planning on being their roommate. This is a 3-pronged warning sign.
Still having trouble making up your mind on which renter to let your apartment? There are several warning signs to watch out for while you’re looking for a renter that indicates you could be taking over an apartment with a rotten tenant. Here are few warning indicators that the landlord for the apartment might be more trouble than the apartment is worth.
The “I Don’t Know” Renter
You should have a checklist with you, either memorized or even better, on a clipboard that you take along, with several key questions that are important to you. Get answers to those questions — a good renter will either know the answers off the top of their head, or be able to get It to you In a reasonable length of time. The “I Don’t Know” renter doesn’t care to look after the flat or its amenities well enough, or care enough to know, to be helpful to you.
The ‘What a Dump” Renter
These renter will make you — anything. In a tight rental market, or with an aggressive property manager, you will probably be looking at an occupied apartment. If that apartment is in a shambles, and the renter doesn’t seem
to care to maintain your property — you’re in trouble.