Proper Questions To Ask When Screening Rental Applicants

When searching for the right tenant to occupy rental homes in Utah, there are certain questions that you should ask. There are some that you can’t ask because it would be considered discrimination such as asking if a couple is married or not who will live in the home. Utah property management screens applicants all the time for homes for rent in Utah.

KeyRenter is an example of rental property management who asks a 12-point background check on every applicant to see if they are qualified or not and if they are likely to pay the rent on time. Financial questions are good ones to ask since they are the most important factor to you as a landlord. Many landlords ask about your income and your occupation and what other sources of income you may have.

They ask these things to see what kind of business you are in and to see if it’s a steady one. Even if you don’t have a job, they’ll ask about other sources of income since you may be living off of child support or other government support that helps you pay for rent. Another questions landlords sometimes as is “Do you have any expensive hobbies?” This may come as an odd question, but it does tell the landlord if you spend a lot of money on recreational items and determines if you would be responsible enough to set aside money for rent.

Other questions that can be asked are occupancy-related questions. These include asking who will be living with the tenant and if they are looking to bring in any pets. Some landlords are strict about having no pets, but as many are waning to find tenants quickly, they are usually negotiable with pets. Good questions to ask regarding pets is asking if it’s housebroken and if they have updated shots.KeyRenter makes sure to ask the right questions on behalf of the homeowners who own rental homes in Utah.

Ask about the tenant’s credit and if they have ever filed for bankruptcy. Many of those who have filed for bankruptcy don’t qualify for a mortgage so are looking for rental homes in Utah to reside in before they can buy a home. Landlords should be aware of this and determine if their past record will affect their current rent payments.

Another issue to bring up is whether the potential tenant has ever been evicted and for what reason. Housing a tenant who has previously be evicted is a risky move to take. But it is different on a case-by-case basis so listen to the applicant to hear their story and to see if you want them living in your house. Overall, there are several other questions you can ask to learn more about a tenant.