As a landlord, you want the best possible tenant to occupy your vacant apartment unit. One of the best ways to weed out undesirable applicants and find good tenants is to ask questions during the screening process.
To help you jumpstart your screening process, we made a list of questions that you can ask all prospective tenants to evaluate their potential as a renter of your property.
When would you want to move in?
This is one of the best preliminary questions to ask prospects as it establishes whether they meet your requirements. For instance, if you're looking to fill a vacancy immediately, a tenant who can't move in for another month or so may not be the best option.
Why are you looking to move?
Many renters move apartments to be closer to their new jobs. Some also move because they want more space. However, 78% of renters move simply because their rent is being increased, per data from the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report 2019.
Do you have pets?
If you're not accepting animals in your apartment, then you've saved both yourself and the applicant time and effort. However, if you do allow pets but have restrictions on the number or size of pets tenants can have, this is the time to let the applicant know.
Additionally, it would also be the appropriate time to let them know if you are charging pet fees or deposits should they rent with you.
How long have you lived in your current home?
If a renter has a history of moving every year, chances are they will likely do the same to you, leaving you with a vacancy to fill after 12 months. Take into account their answer to this question and your desired lease duration when considering applicants.
Can I contact your employer and former landlords?
When screening an applicant, you'll always want to ask them for references who can answer crucial questions on whether they were a reliable tenant and if they paid rent on time.
What is your monthly income?
A good rule of thumb is to select tenants who spend no more than 30% of their monthly income on rent. This means you'll want a renter earning $4,000 or more each month if your rent is $1,200.
Do keep in mind that some states do not allow landlords to ask about a tenant's source of income.
How many people will be living with you?
If you're renting out a one-bedroom apartment, selecting tenants who will be living with four other friends may not be the best choice. Additionally, some states and cities have legal limits around the number of occupants per bedroom.
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