Order of Operations - Landlord Forum thread 356423

Order of Operations by Jason (PA) on March 12, 2018 @03:03

I am finding that most people feel uncomfortable about applying for an apartment before seeing it.

Unfortunately, I like to know what I'm getting into before they show up for the walk-through.

1. Should they fill out the rental application PRIOR to walk-through?

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Re: Order of Operations by Garry (Iowa) on March 12, 2018 @10:01	[ Reply ]

Why would ANYONE want to spend time filling out an application either on line, or in an office, and then either never see the place, or not like it when they do. Would you go into a car dealership, go straight to their office (bypassing all those cars on the lot), fill out a 15-30 minute application, and then not like any of the cars they have? This is not about YOU. It's about your potential customers(tenants). You are in a business. It's about what you need to do to entice customers to become your tenants. If that means doing something YOU feel uncomfortable in doing, to get your place filled, then so-be-it. ALL businesses take some work to make them profitable. In your case, that means showing places several times before you settle on the right tenant. You should always meet the people in person, then have them fill out an app only if they want to. I'm sure you would not be asking this question, if you weren't having trouble filling your units (or at least having people look at your units)

Re: Order of Operations by lamac66 (ga) on March 12, 2018 @12:29	[ Reply ]

would you fill out an application to see an application before even seeing the apartment...granted some situations may exist where this may be the case...ie military transfer of course

Re: Order of Operations by Anonymous on March 12, 2018 @14:00	[ Reply ]

Your best bet is to pre-qualify the applicant before showing the unit. When they ask "So, when can we see the place", or "how can I get an application", you reply with "I would like to take a minute or two to over our criteria if that would be ok"...and away you go. It really is a waste of time showing a unit to someone who will not qualify in the first place. Also, we charge a few to process the application. Besides covering our costs, it is a deterrent for people who are not serious. Occasionally a caller will sound like they do not qualify, so they will suddenly change their answers so they do...even if we ask if they are certain. Half of those people don't show up for their appointments and many of the others end up not returning or being turned down (because we run credit and background checks and check landlord references).

Re: Order of Operations by DAVE (CA) on March 12, 2018 @16:47	[ Reply ]

i ask early on in the first conversation, how many people in the household, pets and ''hows the credit and the VERIFIABLE total combined household income look '''. Once in a while I get the '''why do you need that information before I even see the place''',....to which I calmly and POLITELY respond that I'm just trying to save us both some time if your not going to qualify without guARANTORS / CO-SIGNERS. usually the caller understands this and replys,......sometimes they ask what ''verifiable'' means