By this time, you might have learned how to screen tenants thoroughly. You know what to look for and how to check their financial capabilities. You can also identify red flags, less-than-ideal credit, and poor rental history. And these are all essential in finding the perfect tenant for your landlords, but do you also know about the rental application mistakes that you should avoid?
Yes, landlords and lease agents who commit these errors may lose a client or two. It’s good that you know what to do, but it is even better if you know what not to do. Let’s dive deeper into it, shall we?
Why is it significant to have a rental application process?
All landlords and agents have to have an application process. It helps if they have a structure for screening their applicants. This process will help assess the candidates for possible tenants and will aid in choosing the best one.
A thorough screening of the applications will show a person’s ability to pay rent, follow the policies set in the lease agreement, and take care of the property. Although you cannot guarantee a perfect tenant to the landlords, you can at least give them someone worthy.
The rental application process may take up to seven days to complete. Once you receive it, you must verify the employment details they supplemented. You may also call previous landlords because they are the best source to ask about how someone is as a tenant. And now, on to the things you must not do.
Rental Application Errors
Always remember that rushing a screening process is not a good idea. You might give the landlord a bad tenant and end up in an eviction. And we do not want that. Aside from that, here are other things to avoid:
Discrimination during the application process
Everyone in the rental business is aware of the Fair Housing Act. It is a federal law established to prohibit discrimination during a purchase or rental of a property based on race, gender, etc. It is illegal to refuse any person of housing because of where they came from or what religion they practice.
Lease agents and landlords should avoid questions related to their race, gender, religion, age, etc. For example, the application includes the following questions:
Which church do you attend?
Where did you originally come from before moving to the US?
Are you planning to start a family?
Asking for too much for the security deposit
It is natural for landlords to ask for a security deposit at the start of a lease. Everyone who experienced renting a property knows that. However, it is a mistake if the landlord asks for more than the required amount. State laws exist to regulate the cost of a security deposit. Asking for more is breaking the law, and the landlord might get sued.
Discriminatory rejection letter
Not everyone who applies will get approved. You have to choose which applicant is the best fit for the property and landlord. Your refusal letter should not imply any discrimination. Remember not to reject someone because of who they are. Landlords and agents can refuse if they are not qualified based on their credit checks and financial capacities.
Approving incomplete applications
The tenant applicant you choose would have to rent for a few years. And that is why you must find someone who will pay the rent on time, follow the rules, and take care of the property. You must check every application for completeness and accuracy. The landlords deserve an ideal tenant because they are paying you for it. I know you want to find one as soon as possible, but you can’t rush these things.
Learn these tips by heart because when you know the correct process and the mistakes, it will help your career. But enough about advising you what not to do. I’ll tell you what you should do. Sign up for Padleads now and post your property listings online. The website will also allow you to syndicate those listings all over the internet. What are you waiting for now?