As a property owner, it is important when renting out your home, that you find a suitable tenant. At first it might seem easier to simply pick the first person who applied for the property. The faster we find the tenant, the quicker we get our money, right? However when selecting a tenant it is always best to proceed with caution - you don’t want to wind up with late payments, a damaged property, and angry neighbors. Short Term Housing presents you with a list of tips to help you weed out the suspicious tenants and select the best ones.

First Impressions Can Be Deceiving

If someone wants to rent your property they will be eager to make as good impression on you as possible. Be careful, people can add fictitious material to their applications to make themselves seem more credible.

Ring Ring

It may seem tedious, but it will really help you in the long run. Call the previous landlord. Call their employer. Call the references. Do they really have a job? Did the applicant keep their previous property clean? Would the applicant’s previous landlord rent to that tenant again in the future? Does the applicant report to work regularly and on time? Did the applicant play the rent on time, and in full? You get the picture.

Deposit?

Taking a deposit helps to protect both yourself and your property. Charging a deposit will also help you to determine the prospective tenant’s ability to pay the rent and on a timely basis.

Meet Your Tenants

Whenever possible, meet prospective tenants before making an agreement. It is important that both you and the tenant trust each other. Meeting face to face is a great way to start to develop that trust.

Give Yourself Time and Trust Your Instincts

Sacrificing more time on finding a good tenant, will pay back in the future. If you rush the decision, you risk finding a tenant whom you are not entirely happy to being doing business with. Remember that finding the right tenant can be a lengthy process, and make sure to give yourself enough time.

Good Luck.