After we have had that initial conversation with the prospective tenant, we will then show them any properties that fit the criteria for what they are looking for. During the showing process we will ask more questions to establish that the client is serious about renting the unit they’re looking at. Some of these questions may include: Why are you moving? When do you plan to move? How many people will be living in the apartment? We also inquire on their ability to afford the rent payment, their willingness to pay on time, the long-term outlook for their job security, their cleanliness and housekeeping skills, and their aversion to crime, drugs, and other illegal activities. We also inform future tenants that they will have to fill out an application and consent to a credit and background check. When the prospective tenant has decided that they do want to lease the unit they have looked at then we give them an application to fill out.
As soon as a prospective tenant fills out an application, we immediately enter it into our system. During our application process we will also run a credit report and a background check. We check each possible tenant for past evictions and past due bills as well as negative hits on their credit report. We also verify their past addresses and social security number to make sure that everything from their application matches their credit report. In the background report, we screen for any negative legal activity such as misdemeanors or felonies. We also research for sex offenders and drug-related criminal offenses.
