Tenant Screening in Los Angeles: 4 Simple Ways to Find the Best Tenants

16 Jun Tenant Screening in Los Angeles: 4 Simple Ways to Find the Best Tenants

One of the most important questions we receive from property owners and potential clients is about tenancy. Owners want to know how we can help them choose the right fit for their house or apartment when it’s time to get a tenant in place. Choosing the right tenant is one of the most important things you can do. You have to be selective.

Tenant Review Guidelines

The first thing you need is a good set of tenant review guidelines that comply with state and federal law. They cannot be discriminatory. Post them on your website so when a prospective tenant comes to apply for a house or a unit you have for rent, they will know the qualifications from the beginning.

Transparency and setting expectations is the most important thing we can do for our owners at this stage. We do that at the very beginning so they understand what we’re looking for. Owners have different tastes, and as long as we comply with legal guidelines, we allow them to determine what they want for their property. Some owners might take animals and other owners might say no to animals. It’s important to understand the selection process, and you’ll want to include those criteria in your guidelines.

Efficient Applications

Make it easy for a potential tenant to apply. We use an online process, and tenants simply have to fill out an application. After that, they pay their application fee electronically and we instantly have the data we need to begin the screening process.

Tenant Screening

Our screening process begins with a thorough investigation of an applicant’s background and credit history. We like to call previous landlords and creditors to understand the history so we have all the information we need to make recommendations and help the owner make a smart and educated decision. In addition to the credit check and criminal background check, we also look for a payment history that may be troublesome, or an unlawful detainer history which tells us this person has been evicted or an eviction was attempted.

Meeting the Tenants

After the screening process is complete, meet with the tenant. We meet 100 percent of our prospective tenants as well as their pets. If your property allows a pet, we want to know that pet. It’s Tenant Screening in Los Angeles 4 Simple Ways to Find the Best Tenantsimportant to know how big the pet is and to be assured that the animal is not going to cause a disturbance or any damage.

If you have any questions, or you need help finding a great tenant, please contact us at Metropolitan Property Services, and we’d be happy to help you.