We have placed a lot of rental ads over the years and have scene all kinds of responses. Some responses raise red flags right from the start. In the past year in many areas the rental market has become very limited, especially for well priced nice units.

This has lead to tenants reaching out to ask what they should or should not say when applying for apartments to make a great first impression, to ensure they at least get a viewing.

I have found after interviewing and receiving stories about first impressions that their is a common thread among many poor quality tenants.

I am sure this can be debated, however, this is just my opinion based on my experience, and the experience of many others.

I will say that many poor tenants give you warning signs in advance of you getting involved with them.

Here are my top 5:

Urgency – need a place ASAP, can give you first month and security right away. Over eager to sign a lease and move in. This usually starts right from the immediate response. Could a great tenant need a place asap? Sure, but why are they begging to move in right from the first response?

TMI about personal habits – Don’t smoke or party, seeking quiet neighbors, I mind my own business, I don’t do drugs. now imagine you are a quiet person who does not party, drink or smoke, do you tell a perspective landlord this right out of the gate. I mean first response.

Asking if you check credit – This is always an interesting one. I have had people call and ask if I check credit, I say yes it is part of our criteria, but not all of it, and ask why that is a concern. Some tell a story of something that happened several years before, then when I dig in, turns out there is more to the story. Some people have an event related reason for a credit glitch, but others just don’t pay their bills, and blame everyone but themselves for why they are in the situation.

Reluctance to provide landlord references and lying about where they have lived – One main reason we do a credit check is that it tells a story. That story usually includes addresses. I have had potential tenants over the years either say they have no way to access a previous landlord, or they say they live at home and do not have a landlord reference. Then I have run credit reports and various addresses show up. Usually with an apartment number. Then when I ask about them, they get defensive and start telling a story about a situation. Often with a story that bashes a particular landlord, property manager, or rental company.

Venting / complaining about conditions of a previous place they lived – I know what you might say, and yes there are slum lords out there, however, a lot of issues such as mold and rodents are caused by the way people live. I have been in many buildings over the years, and generally will engage in conversation with tenants if I am planning to purchase the building. I have been in units where a tenant has complained about silver fish for example, and you walk in their bathroom which is full of wet towels on the floor. Mold is something we often hear about in this business, but many do not realize that it can often be avoided. I have witnessed tenants create conditions that allow mold to flourish, and then complain about the slum conditions blaming the landlord. I have heard of tenants complain about fleas, yet they own pets and do not use any kind of flea control. As a landlord when we solve one of these problems, we make sure to educate the tenant on how to reduce or avoid future problems. Like the time I had a complaint about a rat at a house I was renting out. I still brought traps and had a professional exterminator in, however, I noticed some contributing lifestyle factors when I arrived on site. The first was the garbage close to the side entrance was over flowing and appeared they had missed a few garbage days. Around the back of the house consisted of miscellaneous junk and the lawn did not appear to have been mowed in a while. Then inside, dishes piled up, garbage cans over flowing. All contributing factors, like they were trying to attract rodents. Once we provided some education and followed up, we never had a problem again.

Well, those are my top 5. I hope this helps with your tenant screening process.

Until next time,

Design your landlord experience,

Michael P Currie

Do not forget to pick up a copy of my book about property management. I definitely share some crazy stories in there.

Photo credit goes to Ravi Kant