The Importance of Screening Tenants for a Stress-Free Landlord Experience

Being a landlord is no easy task. From managing rental properties to dealing with tenant issues, landlords often find themselves in difficult and stressful situations. One of the biggest challenges landlords face is finding reliable tenants who will pay rent on time and take care of the property they are renting.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell which prospective tenants will make good renters. People may show their best behavior during an interview or screening process and reveal their true selves later. As such, landlords must have a thorough screening process when selecting potential tenants.

Here are the benefits of screening your tenants for a peaceful relationship and stress-free landlord experience.

1. Screening Ensures High-Quality Tenants

Managing your tenants may be no easy feat. If you own rental properties in nashville TN, you know the importance of tenant screening. By thoroughly vetting potential renters and performing a background check, you can ensure that your tenants have a positive rental history and good credit scores.

Credit scores explain the tenant’s responsibility and ability to pay rent on time. Without proper screening, you can end up with undesirable tenants more likely to breach your contract, causing you to lose your income.

The rental history explains where and for how long the tenant stayed and whether or not they managed to keep their end of the bargain. That can help you make an informed decision about who you should allow into your house. For instance, if a tenant has consistently failed to pay rent previously, they may not be a good fit for your property.

2. Screening Wades Off Dangerous Renters

A tenant can have a clean credit record and a great rental history but can still be dangerous, as they might have a criminal record. That means they can pay for their stay in your house to use it as a hideout for their felony. Therefore, you must screen your tenants for any criminal activity that can be a security risk for you, other occupants, or neighbors.

Rowdy and randy tenants can also be a threat, as their behavior may disturb other residents or neighbors. That is not all. Harassing neighbors can cause you legal problems. People can report you for hosting and harboring criminals and violent tenants, which can accumulate huge charges and put your license at stake.

3. Screening Makes Your Property Eligible For Insurance

Insurers cannot risk their money. If a tenant has a criminal record, the insurer may not cover your property when they cause damage. As you know, intentional property destruction has no insurance coverage. You must screen all your tenants before signing a lease agreement, as it will make your house eligible for insurance.

Also, the law dictates that insurers do not cover vandalism if your home is vacant for more than 60 days. That means you must keep your house occupied with reliable tenants throughout the year to get full coverage from the insurer. Without screening, some people may move out in the middle of the night, leaving the house empty and unprotected. That puts your property at risk.

4. It Allows Legal Choices of Tenants

Not everyone can become a tenant to occupy your home. You have the right to deny tenancy to anyone who does not meet the law requirements. For instance, you cannot allow people with serious criminal records like drug offenses or illegal immigration to occupy the property. You must also abide by federal housing laws and regulations, which do not permit you to deny tenancy based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.

Screen everyone to ensure they are eligible according to the law instead of turning them away. You can avoid the “first come, first served” rule and pick the best-suited candidate, fulfilling all your legal obligations. And that is only possible through screening, as you can prove that you are not discriminating against anyone.

5. It Reduces Vacancy and Rent Loss

Vacant homes are a waste of money, as you have to pay for the property taxes and maintenance even though there are no tenants. That is why tenant screening plays an essential role here. It can help you reduce property vacancy, as you can pick the right tenant who is likely to stay longer in the house.

Screening also allows you to fill vacant positions quickly, as it helps you skip the lengthy process of interviewing and evaluating potential tenants. Plus, you can save time by verifying their rental history and credit score upfront, showing their level of reliability. That can help you reduce rent loss due to vacancies and delinquent payments.

Summing Up

Tenant screening is a must for landlords to ensure the safety of their property and other occupants, make their house eligible for insurance, reduce vacancy rates, and ensure legal tenant choices. Make due diligence your priority, and do not miss the chance to vet potential tenants. It can save you from a world of trouble in the long run.