The perfect tenant exists, but so does the worst tenant. As a landlord, when you own a property, it’s crucial to find a tenant who is considerate, reliable, and financially responsible. While sitting around and waiting for the ideal tenant is impossible, it’s also not worth the hassle of dealing with a troublesome tenant. Landlords conduct thorough screenings of rental applicants to avoid situations with terrible tenants. Here are a few reasons why tenant screening is important and how it works.

Can They Pay?

One of the most important questions that a landlord needs to know is whether or not the tenant can pay their rent on time. Keeping up and tracking tenant payments is exhausting, so being aware of their financial situation from the start is beneficial.

Background screenings allow the landlord to see if a person is responsible with their money. For example, someone with credit card debt could be a sign that they struggle with keeping up with their regular payments. However, if you find someone who can pay all their bills on time, they are more reliable and trustworthy. Some landlords don’t need to look at the bank statement. Instead, they check the credit score.

Protect the Property as Well as Other Tenants

A credit report is not the only thing that a landlord might check. Oftentimes, a background screening will give them all the information they need in the case of a criminal history. When looking at a potential tenant’s criminal record, they may focus on things that are a deal breaker, not minor traffic violations. They may also review these violations with the tenant for clarification.

A criminal background check allows landlords to understand the character of their prospective tenants and other aspects, such as education and proof of employment.

Prevent Eviction

Evicting a tenant is an expensive and lengthy process that landlords do not want to undertake unless they have to. It usually costs $2500 to $3500 and can take a few weeks or more. So, most landlords will check whether potential tenants have an eviction history that can help them avoid future evictions.

Peace Of Mind

The most important aspect of background checks and credit checks is to make sure that the landlord understands who they are about to rent to and whether or not they will be able to handle the responsibility of the rental.

If you have questions about our application process or how to begin applying for houses, contact us today!

Buckeye Northwest Realty provides houses for rent in Toledo, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. To learn more about houses for rent, contact us today!