Great tenants may be a landlord’s Holy Grail, but finding them can be easy if you’re willing to do some careful screening beforehand. To make sure you rent to people who pay on time and take care of your San Diego property, follow these basic tips and you’ll soon be attracting worthwhile tenants.
Creative Marketing
Successfully marketing your property is always about reaching the right audience, which can mean using anything from an online listing to a local paper advertisement. Some of your best leads might also come from trusted sources, or referrals. Offer current great tenants a “finder’s fee” for recommending your rental to similarly dependable prospects.
When placing an ad, make sure it speaks to the type of tenant you want, but be sure to follow Fair Housing Rules to avoid discrimination. The clearest, simplest way to speak to the tenant you most want is by listing attributes that your prospects want to associate with: no smoking, pets ok, swimming pool, close to downtown, etc.
The Application Process
Don’t make it too difficult, but if applicants are made to do a little work when filling out an application, it will help you weed out those you don’t want. Ask two or three specific questions and pay attention to the details supplied in their answers. Instead of open houses, require a phone interview before an individual walk-through.
It’s important to run a detailed credit report and consider an applicant’s history, but don’t rule out those who have some blemishes on their credit histories – many people go through rough patches. Instead, listen closely to how they address the issue. Do they make excuses or proactively explain the lapses? Their explanation will give you insight into the kind of tenant they’ll be.
Check References
Verify everything! If possible speak with the applicant’s current landlord to confirm how long they’ve lived there, how much the rent is and so on. Valuable information may be hidden in some of the responses, so look for statements like “I hate to lose them,” etc.
Also call the prospective tenant’s employer to verify employment. Pay attention to red flags like job jumping that may indicate potential issues. Finally, call the personal references listed on the application. You can learn a lot about a person by speaking with their friend or co-workers.
Sell Yourself
Great tenants look to rent from great landlords – ones who respect them and are responsive when issues arise with the property. There are several things you can do as the prospective landlord to attract the right renter:
- Promptly respond to applicant’s inquiries.
- Show up on time and professionally dressed for showings.
- If you have them, provide testimonials from prior tenants.
Finding great tenants is a combination of good instincts and years of experience. The screening process can be time-consuming and sometimes difficult, but these tips should help give you a leg up on finding your ideal tenant. And don’t forget, there are always professionals who can help you learn the ropes or actually handle the process for you.
© SOS Management & Property Services, Inc.
San Diego’s Premier Property Management Company
Local: (858) 273-8800
