Is it Worth Doing Background Checks on Potential Tenants?
How can you be sure that the tenant you are about to let rent your apartment to isn’t going to turn the property into a grow-up? They look good on paper right? They seem nice and have a pleasant manner about them. Unfortunately, gut feelings aren’t enough to protect against destructive tenants. It is vital that landlords screen potential tenants properly and complete proper background checks. You have likely invested not only money but hard work in your property and you are entitled to be reassured that your tenant will be respectful of that fact.
We have all heard the story of the grow-op that was discovered in a cute little house in the quiet sub-division of a small town. Reports about how several units in an apartment building became home to a drug manufacturing operation show up in areas we least expect. When an individual plans on using rentals for such purposes, they are very careful of how they present themselves to landlords. They say and do all the right things. They lie on applications and offer false references.
Bad tenants can come in many forms. Some of them deliberately look for landlords to take advantage off. They will move in, stop paying rent and wait for you to jump through multiple hoops before finally taking off in the middle of the night. Other undesirable tenants may start off with good intentions. Sometimes it is not the person that you rented to that is the problem. Perhaps the individual brought in a girlfriend, boyfriend or roommate after the fact and that is when the issues began. Suddenly you are getting complaints from neighbors about noise, smell or disruptive behavior. When you finally get rid of the problem tenant, you are left cleaning up garbage, fixing holes in walls and replacing floors and bathroom fixtures.
When you consider the cost of dealing with problem tenants, the effort required to do a background check seems insignificant. Rental applications and agreements that are well written can help to make screening easier. Building policies that are clearly explained can prevent misunderstandings and promote respect for the property.
The only way to protect yourself from disaster as a rental property owner is to screen & check potential applicants thoroughly. Ask for specific references that can be verified such as previous employers, landlords and neighbors. Criminal background checks and credit checks are very useful tools for landlords. Use reputable service providers for these background checks in order to ensure accuracy. A good tenant will be happy to prove to you that they are a responsible and trustworthy candidate.
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