Did you know that over 44 million households in the United States are renters? For many people, renting a home is easier than going through the home buying process, and for others, buying simply isn’t an option.
The vast majority of these renters take excellent care of their homes. They treat their rental house just as they would a home they owned themselves. That said, as a landlord, it’s still extremely important to choose who lives in your home carefully.
We all want to do what we can to help others, but the tenant screen process is something that should never be skipped. Read on to learn why.
1. Safety First
When someone inquires about renting from property management companies, the first thing asked of the potential tenant is permission to perform a background check. Why? Well, as a rental owner, you’re responsible for how your tenants affect those around them.
Now, that doesn’t mean anyone whose tenant screening report shows a criminal history should never be allowed to rent from you. In fact, in many instances, criminal history isn’t a valid reason to reject an application. However, you have to ensure that your tenant won’t post a risk to other tenants, your property, or yourself.
2. Avoid Constant Turnover
As a landlord, you know that there’s nothing better than having a friendly, low-maintenance tenant in your property. More often than not, it comes down to the luck of the draw. But by taking advantage of tenant screening services, you can increase the odds of getting a great tenant.
This is because a rigorous screening process will convey to prospective tenants that you take being a landlord seriously. You’ll attract tenants who fit your desired criteria, and who will hopefully stay long-term, lowering your turnover costs.
3. Minimize Evictions
Evictions are among the list of worst-case scenarios for both landlords and tenants. So if you’re wondering “is tenant screen important?” the answer is yes, if for no other reason than to run a credit check and minimize the number of evictions you have to go through.
Things happen, people hit rough patches in their lives all the time, and sometimes there are no warning signs and nothing that could have prevented such an event. However, learning about your tenants’ financial history will give you a good idea of whether or not you can depend on them for rent payments.
Protect Yourself With a Thorough Tenant Screening Process
No one wants to assume the worst of other people, but the fact of the matter is, renting your property to others is a risky endeavor. And it’s more important to protect yourself and your property than to rent to anyone who asks.
One of the best ways to do so is through tenant screening. You can never prevent every unfavorable event. But by getting a better idea of who will be living on your property, you can minimize the risks.
Looking for more information for getting the most out of your career as a landlord? Be sure to check out our blog!