We’re no stranger to the subject of tenant screening and the many ways it benefits landlords and property owners, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth revisiting the topic every once in a while. One of the most important preventative measures a property owner can take is properly vetting each and every one of their applicants in order to find the very best match for their rental. The right tenant will always pay on time, respect the property, and be pleasant to work with. You may not be able to get all those details from a report, but you can still glean plenty of information.
Here are all the ways tenant screening benefits you and gives you a great advantage.
Save Time
There’s very little that’s more tedious that doing your own background searches by hand. You have to gather an applicant’s information, seek them out online, make sure you have the right person, and do some detective work to uncover any red flags. You’ll also find that certain information, like credit scores, just isn’t available unless you order a report. All this is time consuming and doesn’t guarantee you’ve found everything you need to. Tenant screening saves you all that time and frustration, so you can focus on more important things, like managing your business.
Get The Details
As mentioned above, some information simply isn’t available on Google, unless you happen to be a skilled private eye. Even then, you’re not going to be able to access anything that isn’t available to the public record, or you may have to pay a membership fee for a service that gives you access to that sort of information. It’s far easier (and more informative) to use a screening service, particularly one that’s paid for by the tenant as part of their application fee.
Know Who Your Tenants Are
Anyone can make themselves look good on paper, but you may find that for every tenant that sounded great at face value, you end up with property damage or nonpayment. In order to really know who your applicants are, you need well-rounded background checks, credit reports, eviction history, and more. Don’t skimp on these stats! It could mean the difference between a great long-term tenant and a hole in your pocketbook.
Avoid Sifting Through Excess Information
There is such a thing as too much information, and if you’re doing your own research on tenants, you may find yourself quickly overwhelmed with details. You don’t really need to know where someone went to school or that they partied a lot as teenagers, but it’d be good to know whether they have a history of nonpayment or noise complaints. A lot of screening services are customizable so you only end up with the information you need.
We recommend our RentalConnect program as an added tool for selection the right tenants for your property. RentalConnect offers property owners and landlords a great alternative to the expense of full tenant screening. This service requires no on-site visit, sign-up, or membership fees, making it extra convenient. The service fee is paid by the applicant. Available 24/7, RentalConnect is fast, easy, secure, and delivers reports needed to make an informed decision, including a credit report, a national criminal search, and a national eviction search. Reach out to us for more details!
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