Characteristics of a Great Tenant
Characteristics of a Great Tenant
If you want to have any degree of success as a landlord, you need to know the characteristics that make up a good tenant. But finding the right tenants isn’t an easy task. People who look good on paper may turn out to be horrible tenants, and vice versa. It isn’t always what they put on the application that counts. Sometimes you have to judge someone by the qualities they possess. Here are some characteristics to look for in a great tenant:
- Honest: A great tenant is honest. How to you truly know if they are honest? During the application stage, this can be checked by making sure that everything they say on the form is actually true (references, credit, job, etc.) Also ask for a photocopy of his/her driver’s license to ensure the name and address matches that of the application.
- Body Language: When you’re meeting with a tenant for the first time, pay attention to their body language. Are they fidgety? Do they avoid looking you in the eye? Do they stand with their arms crossed in front of their chest? These could all be signs of trouble.
- Well-groomed: If an applicant shows up in ripped jeans, ragged shirt, unkempt beard or looks like they’ve just gotten out of bed (or just finished a mud-wrestling competition) it’s a sign that they don’t care about their appearance. People who don’t take care of themselves generally don’t take proper care of their homes, either. Take a peek inside their car; if there are fast-food wrappers, garbage and other miscellaneous items, then they clearly have a problem picking up after themselves.
- Responsible: A good tenant is responsible in all aspects of their life. They have a good, reliable job, they have always paid their rent and other bills on time and they don’t blame others for their circumstances. A good way of finding out if the applicant is responsible is to check their credit rating. A good credit history will go a long way to determining whether they are responsible or not.
- Respectful: When you meet with them are they respectful and friendly? Or standoffish and rude? You want a tenant that is always polite and courteous. This makes all of your dealings much more comfortable for all parties involved.
- Family: This may be a bit of a generalization; however, finding tenants with a family gives them a greater reason to make sure the rent is paid and they stay employed; a bigger motivation, if you will.
- Drama-free: Good tenants are not concerned with drama. They don’t call you in the middle of the night to complain that a neighbor is talking too loud upstairs, or that the dishwasher makes too much noise. You won’t hear any gossip and you won’t have to listen to how terrible the tenant’s boss is. They live their life, pay their rent and respect your property!
Finding great tenants is not that difficult, if you know what to look for. Each time you screen new tenants you will gain more knowledge and have the confidence that you’re choosing the right tenants for your property.
Benefit National can help you with all of your landlord duties. Visit the website today for more information.
