Pre Screening Questions to Ask Potential Tenants

Pre-Screening Questions to Ask Potential Tenants

Hey there! At JKL Real Estate, we know that finding the best possible tenant for your investment property is crucial. You’ve put in a lot of work to secure a quality property, and it’s important to ensure your tenants will take good care of it and pay rent on time. Pre-screening can save you a lot of stress and time by filtering out those who don’t meet your criteria. Here’s our guide to help you get started.

The Importance of Pre-Screening

Conducting a pre-showing interview over the phone or via an online form can help determine if potential tenants are a good fit. This step is critical in the tenant selection process. Remember to check your state regulations to ensure you’re asking permissible questions.

Essential Pre-Screening Questions

1. Why are you moving?

   • This helps identify if they’re being evicted or if there are other issues with their current residence.

2. When are you planning to move?

   • Most rentals require 4 weeks' notice. A rush to move might be a red flag.

3. How long have you lived in your current home?

   • This provides insight into their stability.

4. What sort of work do you do?

   • Dig a bit deeper to see if they are full-time or casual employees and how long they’ve been with their employer.

5. How much do you earn?

   • Ensure they can cover the rent. Generally, tenants should earn at least 2.5 times the rent. Consider multiple tenants' combined income.

6. What debts and monthly expenses do you have?

   • If they can’t answer this, it might indicate budgeting problems.

7. Can you provide references from your employer and landlord?

   • Willingness to provide references indicates transparency.

8. Do you agree to a credit or background check?

   • Reluctance may indicate something to hide, which needs further investigation.

9. Have you ever been evicted?

   • An obvious red flag.

10. How many people will be living with you?

    • Understand if it’s a couple, a family, or a potential party house. Also, ask how many will be on the lease and contributing to the rent.

11. Do you or anyone else smoke?

    • Even if you’re not concerned, future tenants might have an issue with lingering smoke smells.

12. Do you have pets?

    • Find out what type and where they stay (inside/outside). This could be a deal-breaker.

13. Would you be able to pay the security deposit of ($ amount) at lease signing?

    • Indicates their seriousness and financial stability.

14. Are you willing to sign a 1-year lease agreement?

    • Long-term tenants are a big bonus.

15. Do you have any questions for me about the process?

    • Make it a two-way street. They also have the right to decide if you’re a suitable landlord for them.

These pre-screening questions are a great starting point to determine if a potential tenant is worth taking to the next step of showing them the property.

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At JKL Real Estate, we’re here to help you feel at home in the world of real estate. Whether you're buying your first home or refinancing, our family-oriented approach ensures you have the support and expertise you need. Welcome to the JKL family, where your home buying journey is our top priority.

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