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Re: Pre-qualification questions too much? - Landlord Forum thread 358451

Re: Pre-qualification questions too much? by Garry on August 19, 2018 @18:04

                              
Pre-screening questions are fine to use, but sometimes LLs use too many questions, or get too personal with their Qs, which turn people off. As you said----15 calls, but no replies AFTER you start asking Qs. What I do, is put some of my expectations in my ad. : move in to be on or after xxxx, No pets, or if you allow them---size and for how much extra. backgrounds will be checked. Must have xxxx total net income. Those "answers" will filter out some people, but probably not all of the 15 people that called you on the one day.

I would much rather meet a few people at my rental, and get a personal feel for them. I have them fill out an application at my rental if they are interested after they see it. Yes, it IS more time consuming, and you may not like ANY of the prospects that you show your place to. But, as you just admitted to, it's also very frustrating when 15 people email, and NO ONE gets back to you. Being a LL is not easy, and sometimes you actually have to WORK at getting a place filled, rather than letting your fingers and the internet try to find someone for you.

About your Qs for pre-screening -----
#1 is ok to ask
#2 just state there will be backgrounds checks, nothing more
#3 Just ask---do you have pets---nothing more
#4Take out all together----you can tell them that w3hen they see your place
#4a OK to ask, but get a net income figure
#5 Take off----that can be filled in on their app when they see your place.
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Re: Pre-qualification questions too much? by John on August 20, 2018 @15:09 [ Reply ]
Seems you are a more liberal..

So you don't think I should charge a pet fee? What's wrong with being descriptive on the background check? What's wrong with indicating 6mos checks?

I agree with you in terms of "turning tenants off" But seems like you'd be wasting your time with tenants more in this situation.
    Re: Pre-qualification questions too much? by Garry on August 20, 2018 @21:30 [ Reply ]
    John, you ask for replies from the forum. I responded with my opinion. That doesn't mean I'm right or wrong. It's just my opinion. Yes, you can charge a pet fee, and extra deposit if you allow pets, and if your state allows you to. There's also nothing wrong with 6 mo. checks or a more descriptive background check. My whole point was, WHEN you tell the prospective tenants about those things.

    I wait till I see a prospective T in person, at the rental, and tell them then about certain things. YES, SOMETIMES I HAVE WASTED MY TIME showing the place. I don't deny that. But also sometimes I may find a T that has MOST of the qualifications I want, but not all, and I rent to them.

    You said you had 15 responses in 1 day, yet nobody emailed back after you emailed out your Qs. Wouldn't you think 2 or 3 of those people would have emailed you back? As Dr. Phil would say, if you keep doing the same thing over and over again, DON'T expect a different outcome. I didn't say stop everything you are doing. I just said change your wording a little, and wait till you meet someone in person at your rent, before saying other things to them.

    So, change things up a little, and eventually you will find the right people for your rental. Just don't get too frustrated along the way, that you decide to sell your place, and get out of the LL business altogether.

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