Are you having trouble choosing tenants? In recent years, Pittsburgh, PA exhibits a diverse and competitive rental market. These traits create a strong investment potential and reliable income for landlords.
However, managing a rental property is not easy with a problematic tenant. You may face late payments, property damages, neighbor complaints, and legal disputes. To save yourself from the headache, incorporating effective tenant screening strategies is crucial.
How do you choose property occupants? Read on to learn five strategies you need to know for screening tenants.
1. Create Qualifying Criteria
Start your tenant verification process by making a checklist. With it, you can filter applicants who don't meet certain requirements. You can make your own set of requirements, but here are a few common ones you can include:
- Rental history
- Lifestyle requirements (eg. smoking or pets)
- Income verification
- Employment verification
- Eviction history
The criteria can also protect against fair housing description claims. Did you know that under a Pittsburgh City Code, it is illegal to discriminate against tenants? So having a checklist for applicants ensures that you keep a fair process.
2. Collect a Comprehensive Rental Application
Along with qualifying criteria, having a comprehensive rental application is vital for effective tenant screening. Like a resume, a rental application summarizes information about the tenant.
You can ask the applicants to write down their:
- Personal details
- Employment history
- Social security number
You can also ask for the applicant's income information and references.
3. Conduct Thorough Background Checks
Do you conduct tenant background checks on potential residents? In a tenant screening, meeting the qualifying criteria and collecting an application is not enough. It is crucial to do background checks to uncover any red flags that can cause future problems.
Ask questions like:
- Can you provide a credit report?
- Were you evicted from your previous place? If so, why?
- Is it alright to run a criminal background check on you?
- When will you be able to move in?
By interviewing your applicants, you can review their payment patterns, outstanding debts, and creditworthiness.
4. Contact References
Contacting references is one of the rental application tips you must incorporate. By talking to them, you can gather information about the applicant.
Using the rental application submitted by the potential resident, contact the persons listed. Ask them about the applicant's character, reliability, and behavior.
You should also speak with their previous landlords. They give valuable insights into the applicant's rental history. In most cases, you can find out if they follow lease agreements.
5. Call for Property Management Advice
If you lack time or expertise, consider calling professionals for property management advice. In Pittsburgh, companies like DeSantis offer services that follow local laws and market conditions. From creating qualifying criteria to contacting references, they can handle everything related to tenant screening.
They can also help you market your rental property and attract the right audience. Moreover, they can deal with maintenance requests and rent payment collection.
Five Effective Tenant Screening Strategies
In a diverse Pittsburgh market, incorporating an effective tenant verification process is crucial. It protects investments and ensures a positive rental experience for landlords.
Do you need help managing your property or tenant screening? At DeSantis Property Management, we provide exceptional residential services for tenant screening, marketing, rent collection, and so on. Contact us today to learn more!
