More and more homeowners who are moving are delaying selling their homes, choosing instead to rent them out as the housing market continues to struggle. The lagging housing market has given others the opportunity to buy properties for investment purposes. Since many of these homeowners don’t have much experience as a landlord, they’re often required to learn on the fly.
Whether you are interested in getting into property management out of necessity or opportunity, here are a few tips for small landlords on protecting your rental property:
• Screen your tenants. The most important way to protect your rental property is to get good tenants, and the best way to do so objectively is to use a third-party screening service. Tenant screening services like Rental History Reports offer small landlords screening services for a small fee. The reports allow you to check potential tenants’ criminal, credit and rental history, among other things. Many landlords decide to charge applicants for this service, and it’s possible that you could weed out potential problem tenants if they are unwilling to participate.
• Make sure you are following the Fair Housing Act. The last thing you want as a new landlord is to end up in court because you weren’t familiar with this law. While you likely wouldn’t intentionally discriminate against anyone, it’s a good idea to put rental criteria, such as income requirements, in writing. Make sure you aren’t playing favorites with those who meet your criteria.
• Always use a written lease. If your tenants end up not holding up their part of the bargain, it will be difficult to recoup any costs without this document.
• Visit your property regularly. Good tenants will not see frequent visits as an intrusion, instead welcoming them as they’ll realize they want to keep their dwelling in good shape. Performing regular maintenance is a great way to maintain a positive relationship with your tenants, as well as preserving the value of your home. Being responsive to a tenant’s request will also help ensure that your good tenants stick around.
• Don’t allow unauthorized residents to occupy your property. If your tenant is interested in having another person move into your property, conduct a background check as you would for any new tenant. Sometimes, potential residents with a criminal record or undesirable rental history will use others as a front for obtaining residence.
For more helpful information for small landlords on renting your property and tenant screening services, visit www.rentalhistoryreports.com.
Whether you are interested in getting into property management out of necessity or opportunity, here are a few tips for small landlords on protecting your rental property:
• Screen your tenants. The most important way to protect your rental property is to get good tenants, and the best way to do so objectively is to use a third-party screening service. Tenant screening services like Rental History Reports offer small landlords screening services for a small fee. The reports allow you to check potential tenants’ criminal, credit and rental history, among other things. Many landlords decide to charge applicants for this service, and it’s possible that you could weed out potential problem tenants if they are unwilling to participate.
• Make sure you are following the Fair Housing Act. The last thing you want as a new landlord is to end up in court because you weren’t familiar with this law. While you likely wouldn’t intentionally discriminate against anyone, it’s a good idea to put rental criteria, such as income requirements, in writing. Make sure you aren’t playing favorites with those who meet your criteria.
• Always use a written lease. If your tenants end up not holding up their part of the bargain, it will be difficult to recoup any costs without this document.
• Visit your property regularly. Good tenants will not see frequent visits as an intrusion, instead welcoming them as they’ll realize they want to keep their dwelling in good shape. Performing regular maintenance is a great way to maintain a positive relationship with your tenants, as well as preserving the value of your home. Being responsive to a tenant’s request will also help ensure that your good tenants stick around.
• Don’t allow unauthorized residents to occupy your property. If your tenant is interested in having another person move into your property, conduct a background check as you would for any new tenant. Sometimes, potential residents with a criminal record or undesirable rental history will use others as a front for obtaining residence.
For more helpful information for small landlords on renting your property and tenant screening services, visit www.rentalhistoryreports.com.
