15 Questions For Landlords To Ask Potential Tenants
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or a buy-to-let veteran, the work doesn’t simply stop once you’ve secured the property and done the renovation of a renter’s dreams. Finding the right tenant can prove tricky, especially with such a vast pool of potential renters to choose from.
Screening your prospective tenants is a must if you want to make sure your precious abode is passed into a safe pair of hands. This needn’t be too formal – a friendly sit-down chat or even a quick phone call will be more than enough to give you all the information you need to determine who’s the right renter for you.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are 15 questions to ask potential tenants that will ensure you get the best possible people living in your rental.
1. Can you provide references from your previous landlords and employers?
An absolute must: Tenant character references are an invaluable source for getting to know your prospective renters. References from employer to landlord are a bonus, but any information you can get from ex-landlords through a rental reference is key here. A reference from a previous landlord means you’ll be able to see what kind of tenant this person is, how they have behaved in the past, whether they have ever been late on rent or done any damage – everything you need to know to assess whether they’re the kind of tenant you want to take on.
2. How long have you been at your current job, and what is your monthly income?
This is to give you an idea of how stable they are in terms of income, as well as whether they can actually afford to rent out your property in the first place. Depending on how expensive your monthly rent is, you might want to add an income cap that lets people know how much they need to be earning in order to apply as a tenant.
3. Do you currently rent?
This will give you some background on their current living situation, letting you know whether they are familiar with the rental process as a whole, and giving you a good segway into the next few questions.
4. Why are you moving from your current residence?
It can be helpful to know their reasons for moving, whether it’s a new job, a love for the area, or dissatisfaction with their current rental. Whatever their reasons, keep them in mind when you contact their current landlord for a reference so you can see if their stories match up.
5. Does your current landlord know you are looking to move?
This will provide a little bit more insight into their relationship with their current landlord. If they say no, it could be an indication of tension or issues between them – this isn’t a black-and-white rule, but it will give you an opportunity to open up the conversation and explore their reasons for not communicating this with their landlord – if they have any.
6. What date would you like to move in?
This is a straightforward question that will let you know whether or not your ideal moving dates align. If not, and there’s no room for manoeuvre, you can cut the conversation short and save both of you some precious time.
7. How many people will be living in the property, and what is your relationship?
This is vital – you need to know how many people are planning on moving in for a multitude of reasons, but especially from a legal perspective. Letting properties to multiple people has its complications in terms of finances, so make sure you’re fully aware of who’s planning on making the move.
8. Do you have pets, and if so, what kind?
For lots of landlords, pets are an absolute no – for others, there is a little more leniency. It all depends on your personal preference and the property you’ve got on the market, but this question is always a good idea to ask if you want to avoid any furry friends in your rental abode.
9. Do you (or anyone living with you) smoke?
An easy one – smoke can be seriously damaging to the interior of a home. You don’t have to veto smokers altogether, but it’s a quick way to open up the conversation if you want to let them know your stance on smoking indoors.
10. Have you ever been evicted or refused to pay rent?
Of course, you’ll probably want to stay well away from these potential tenants – get this question out of the way before you get too involved, and save yourself the hassle down the line.
11. What is your planned duration of tenancy?
You might have a minimum term of residency for your property, so it’s important to include this one to check if your plans are compatible.
12. How do you plan to handle rent payments?
A good question to gauge a bit more of an understanding about their financial background and how trustworthy they’ll be when it comes to paying their rent.
13. Can you provide a background check?
This is vital for understanding whether a tenant has a criminal record, as well as a history of evictions or breaking rental agreements. You can (and should) do this background check yourself, but asking the tenant this question first will give them a chance to explain themselves if there is anything that you should know about.
14. Will you be able to pay a deposit of (X amount)?
This will let you know two things – their level of financial stability, and how reliable they will be when it comes time to pay rent each month, both of which are good signifiers of whether they’re the kind of tenant you’re looking for.
15. Are you aware of your responsibilities concerning the tenancy agreement?
While most tenants will be familiar with the rules and responsibilities that come with renting out a property, there might be some first-time renters who need a bit more information, and it will also give you a chance to really communicate what’s most important to you when it comes to your tenancy agreement.
Remember to remain friendly, patient, and willing to answer any questions your prospective tenant might have in return. These conversations can quickly become laborious and time-consuming, but by sticking to this set formula you’ll be well on your way to getting your ideal tenant happily moved in.
Are you on the hunt for your perfect tenant? Our friendly team of property professionals is here to help. At Zest, we have a whole host of lettings experts and estate agents on hand to guide you along your rental journey, with the experience and local know-how needed to secure the tenants you’ve been looking for. Reach out today to hear more about how we can help you.
