As a BDM evaluating potential tenants and assessing applications is a major aspect of my position and getting this right is critical to the ongoing successful leasing of the property. Probably 80% of applications we receive at face value look excellent, it’s only from picking up the phone that the real truth is often uncovered.
Many of us would like to think of ourselves as good judges of character especially when meeting someone in person. This is fine for most social situations as the initial opinion may get watered down over time or changed completely…but that person isn’t renting your house…this is a business transaction! Much harder to walk away from or bury your head in the sand hoping it will disappear. There are laws of governance whether there is a formal lease in place or not.
Number one rule do reference checks…this is also rule two, three and four!
Regularly in arrears, property not cleaned, inspections difficult, rudeness, unapproved pets…hmmnn and yet “they seemed so nice when we met them.” Well they want something from you A HOUSE pretty important so naturally most people will appear at their best.
