When a landlord goes through a string of exceptional tenants, it’s easy to get complacent with the entire tenant screening process. It’s easy to start to believe that most, if not all, tenants are trustworthy, hardworking, honest folks who just need a good temporary place to call home. It’s natural to fall into the trap of believing you have an eye for figuring out which applicant will make a great tenant, and who will not.
But when a landlord gets overly confident in his or her “gut instinct,” that’s when trouble arises. That’s when a thorough tenant screening begins to slide into a much more casual routine of checking a few references and calling the applicant’s employer.
If you are one of those landlords, it’s time for a wake-up call. The harsh reality is that problem tenants do exist. There are people out there who are looking for someone vulnerable enough to fall for their lies, trust them, and offer them a place to live. There are people who will destroy your property, rack up bills and never pay them, skip out on rent, and possibly put their neighbors and yourself in danger because of their criminal histories.
Don’t let protocol slide when it comes to tenant screening. Be as diligent with your latest tenant’s application process as you were with the very first tenant you ever signed to a lease. Don’t just check their references, check their previous evictions. Check their credit report. Consider their criminal record. Do your homework, every time, regardless of your instincts. It’s way better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on tenant screening, visit: http://www.alwaysscreen.com/
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