calmloki
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I screen a bunch over the phone - figure that's a good way to avoid any hint of discrimination against a member of a protected class. Tend to screen against people who sound like mouth breathers or trailer trash. Prefer to rent to people I get along with - why set myself up for an adverserial relationship?
Just had a call from a gal whose second question, after location, was "do you have a screening fee?". We don't, but that question set me up to screen her out - if the primary concern is whether there is a $18-$30 charge, and that determines where one chooses to live, then I don't want to rent to them. Also aren't interested in people who say they don't care what a place looks like - I care what a place looks like and I'd like to rent to people who want to live in and maintain a nice place.
Like to talk with people a bit - if they are evasive or tight lipped about their work or past history that's not a good sign. Good handwriting helps. A tidy car interior helps.
I don't do credit checks, but I do ask what a credit report will show - most people will fess up to problems. Don't much care if someone has past credit problems if they have a job and their current spending habits look or sound good.
Mostly go with gut feeling - get stung some, but over the last 20 years and current 50-odd units it's worked out fairly well. How about the rest of you landlords?
Just had a call from a gal whose second question, after location, was "do you have a screening fee?". We don't, but that question set me up to screen her out - if the primary concern is whether there is a $18-$30 charge, and that determines where one chooses to live, then I don't want to rent to them. Also aren't interested in people who say they don't care what a place looks like - I care what a place looks like and I'd like to rent to people who want to live in and maintain a nice place.
Like to talk with people a bit - if they are evasive or tight lipped about their work or past history that's not a good sign. Good handwriting helps. A tidy car interior helps.
I don't do credit checks, but I do ask what a credit report will show - most people will fess up to problems. Don't much care if someone has past credit problems if they have a job and their current spending habits look or sound good.
Mostly go with gut feeling - get stung some, but over the last 20 years and current 50-odd units it's worked out fairly well. How about the rest of you landlords?