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Finding a good tenant is the most crucial part of renting out a property. Finding good tenants will give you the peace of mind you need to know that not only will rent be paid promptly and on time but also that your property will be well cared for.
Finding a good tenant can also be the most challenging part of renting out an apartment. Here are a few ways you can ensure you find the best tenants.
Decide Who You’re Looking For
This depends both on you and your property. For instance, a two-bed apartment would be OK for a family of three but would be impractical for a family of six. Similarly, a three-bed house would not be ideal for a college student.
Make a list of the ideal attributes for your tenants and adjust your search accordingly. Remember that it is illegal to discriminate for several reasons including race, gender and disability. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that while you may be discerning when it comes to your prospective tenant, this should never cross the line to outright discrimination.
Make Sure It Looks Good – Inside And Out
Appearance matters when it comes to renting out a property. The rental market is hot right now, so many tenants are selective when choosing a new apartment. Ensure that your apartment is in excellent condition and any repairs or redecorating are done before any viewings occur.
Ideally, you will want your apartment to be ready to move into before you start showing it. Do not neglect your property’s exterior as this will be the first impression that any prospective tenant has of your apartment.
Put Your Apartment On Property Search Sites
This can be the best way to ensure that the most people see your property. You want to cast the widest net to be seen by the most potential tenants. Apartment Guide is a great way to advertise apartments in Boston and make sure your apartment reaches a significant number of possible tenants.
Before you advertise your apartment, you need to make sure that it is in tip-top condition and you have some great photos of the interior and exterior. Good images of your apartment are crucial to ensuring that you attract the attention of prospective tenants.
Review Tenant Applications
Once you’ve received applications for your apartment, you should review them carefully. Always check the references supplied and verify that the employment and other information given are correct.
If possible, you should try and have a conversation with each landlord reference and get as much information as you can about your prospective tenant’s behavior and reliability. It might also be helpful to ask if they had experience with moving companies, as this can provide additional insights into how organized and responsible the applicant is when transitioning from one place to another.
You can also contact your prospective tenant’s employer, but you are only allowed to confirm salary and length of employment.
Ideally, you will want to be present when your apartment is being viewed so that you can get a feel for the potential tenant yourself. This can be invaluable in addition to reviewing tenant applications.