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Re: Do you Screen Tenants and do Leasing Yourself? - Landlord Forum thread 323567

Re: Do you Screen Tenants and do Leasing Yourself? by Andrea (GA) on August 29, 2014 @18:03

                              
This sure does seem like an ad, but anyway...
I'm confused as to why you were "struggling" in handling the leasing and you don't really explain. Maybe there are certain inconveniences that come with screening applicants and showing a property, but in my experience they are minimal (and only once a year for most properties, if that). Any inconvenience pales in comparison to feeling confident that you have selected the right tenant. You mention credit/background check--but there is so much more to screening and selection than that. A meeting and casual conversation can usually go far to alerting you to a PITA in the making and conversely can help you identify the "best fit".

I'll give you an example. Last year, we had several showings of our SFH. One couple came with credit checks, pay stubs, and bank statements in hand. They both expressed genuine appreciation for the great condition of the home and commented on how dingy others looked in comparison. She also let it slip that she was somewhat of a "neat freak" and that they had previously had rental property themselves (so could understand the LL's perspective). Fast forward a year--we no longer have them as tenants (they purchased a home as we knew they might), but the property was in perfect condition, clean, and never a problem with rent.

A "service" could not have replaced that face-to-face contact. (I could give negative examples too). Here are a few things to consider about a service: 1)How do you know their criteria for credit etc would be the same as yours? 2) Other than credit/background, what else constitutes screening for them? 3) Do they go over lease terms in detail at signing so as to avoid future problems that will land on your doorstep? 4) What responsibility do they take on if they put a deadbeat in your home--pay the rent themselves? And finally, after they've skipped out with your money, who handles the problem tenant(s) they've installed in the property (hint: not them)?

Most people here prefer to be actively involved in their business for good reason. I would only consider such a service under the most exigent of circumstances and then would probably opt for a PM, since at least they will have some responsibility after the lease is signed. Your property sounds like it is in a hot market with many prospective tenants--you shouldn't have problems finding good ones. That's the easy part. That said, it does take a bit of effort to be a LL, and not everyone can do it.
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