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SCREENING BEYOND THE APPLICATION
A new landlord wanted input from other landlords on screening. She posted the following question on our popular Q&A Forum: How much more do you do beyond the Zillow application to check someone out?
The following school-of-hard-knocks advice was offered by one of the successful landlords and contributors on our forum.
"Do not accept Zillow's application. Send the applicant your own application. I have no idea what you can ask in [the state of] MA. Ask everything that you are not prohibited in asking. Then, verify everything. We do not take an applicant's word for anything at all.
We don't accept paycheck stubs. We call the current and former places of employment (not the number the applicant has supplied, but the number we find on the internet) and ask our questions.
Same for current and previous landlord reference. We find the apartment complex or real estate office and call the main number we can verify.
We call the vet to verify the animals are what the applicants say they are. That they are spayed or neutered, are current on all shots, and have never bitten anyone.
We use the credit/criminal check company which is a sponsor of this site (TenantCreditChecks.com). You will need a Social Security # and Drivers License #.
We visit the applicant's current home for a 2-minute, in-home visit. How the applicant's current home looks like will be what our home will look like 2 months after the applicant moves in.
Have a default mind set that an applicant is denied unless they meet your standards. Do not try and "work with" an applicant who is deficient in an area of your screening.
Every time we have ever deviated from our procedures, it has turned out poorly for us and we lost thousands of dollars, not to mention all the wasted time and stress.
Go slowly, learn, and then when you advertise you will be setting your business up for success. All the best!"
Thanks Renee (TX) for sharing your advice. See the full discussion and more advice offered by other landlords on screening tips beyond the application.
Agree or Disagree? Share your thoughts. We welcome your feedback or any landlording tip you would like to share. Email editor@MrLandlord.com.
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