6 Questions to Ask When Renting Out Your Property

Prospective renters always ask questions about your rental property and landlord experience. However, an interview is a two-way conversation. You want to make sure you have the right people renting your property.

Renters know you’re looking for “the one,” and will prepare a persona for their interview. That’s why it’s up to you to ask the right questions that bring in the renters you deserve.

At Classic Property Management, we connect property owners with qualified renters that fill vacancies in the long term.

Here are 6 questions you should always start out with when meeting potential renters.

1. Are You Living Alone or With Roommates?

This question is essential because you always want anyone living on your property screened and on their own lease. 

This ensures everyone on your property can reliably pay rent and that you avoid any legal complications that come with subletting.

You want anyone living in your home to be a quality resident. This question helps you come to a wiser final decision.

2. Have You Ever Been Evicted?

You already know about past evictions when you pull a candidate’s credit report. Yet, asking this question gives your potential renters a chance to give you their side of the story.

People change and sometimes hearing them out paints a bigger picture than a credit report could.

3. Why Are You Leaving Your Last Rental?

This question helps you give the right renter exactly what they want from a property. It’s rare that most properties completely meet a renter’s standards. This is why you see so many renters move from home to home once their lease is up.

As long as the candidate is honest, you can use their answers to help meet their expectations. 

This question also gives you insight into potential problems this renter could cause. Pay attention to details like missed rent, “unfair” landlords, or neighborly disputes.

4. What is Your Income?

Any renter pays rent every month. That’s just how property rentals work. So, it’s important to know that anyone renting your property has the monthly funds to cover monthly rates.

Aside from asking this question, include a monthly income section on your application, and request at least 3 months’ consecutive pay stubs. Your monthly income goal should be at least 3 times more than your monthly rent. Of course, these requirements can fluctuate when you have more than one person on the lease (i.e. roommates or a spouse).

5. Do You Have Pets?

This question is a great pre-screening question if you are an owner that doesn’t have a pet agreement in place. If you don’t want pets on your property, this question will eliminate the wrong renters.

However, even if you allow pets to live with your renters, this question opens the door to ensure they meet your agreement’s criteria.

6. Do You Have a Cosigner?

This question is especially important if your candidate is college-aged. Students and younger renters often have little or no credit at their age. If this is the case and you feel that they’ll be a solid candidate, request a cosigner.

A cosigner can be a family member or friend with reliable income that can ensure rent is paid if the resident ever comes up short.

Vet Your Next Renters With Classic Property Management

If you are a new property owner that needs help from a rental property manager, let Classic Property Management help where we can. From vetting new renters to promoting your property, our team has you covered.

Our rental property managers have decades of experience implementing best practices that retain quality, long-term renters in homes.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and become a member of the Classic Property Management family.