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How
to Deny Rental Applications
Tenant Background Check Questions PART 2
Every
landlord knows that a tenant background check is crucial for choosing
responsible tenants but do you know what are the important
background check questions and how to deny or reject tenant
applications
correctly? Find out the answers in this Part 2 of our Tenant
Background Check Guide to Rental Application Denial.
Do you know
your fair housing laws and how to avoid tenant discrimination? If No,
Click
here for Part 1
of this Guide for the Federal Fair Housing Laws.
Screen
All Your Potential Tenants with the Same Steps and Questions
Whenever
someone steps forward to apply as your tenant, make sure that you
screen every single person with the same steps and interview them with
the same set of background check questions.
For example if you prefer screening
tenant applicants on the phone before meeting them for a face to face interview,
always make sure that each of your potential tenants is treated to this
2 step process. If you happen to be fond of a particular applicant and
allow him or her to skip the telephone screening, you may be accused of
tenant
discrimination.
On top of that, you should prepare a template of relevant background
check questions to
ask your tenant applicants during the interview process. This will not
just make your tenant background check a breeze, but it also encourages
you
to ask similar questions for each applicant.
If you ask someone to leave a returnable deposit when applying to your
tenant, then make sure that everyone else is required to do the same.
Remember your requirements do count as well.
Require
All Your Potential Tenants to Fill up a Rental Application Form
Although
it's not compulsory by law, it's very highly recommended that
you ask all your applicants to fill in and submit tenant application
forms to you. Click
here for a free sample of our rental property application form.
Other than the fact it's an excellent way to standardise your tenant
background check, there are 2 other solid reasons for making use of
application forms.
Firstly it makes the entire tenant screening process quicker and
easier. More
importantly it gives you a written record of the tenant's personal
details and his answers to your background check questions. In case
your tenant turns out to be a total nightmare, you may be able to evict
him
if you spot any lies in his application form.
Make sure that your applicants fill in the tenant application form
completely and produce proof of their identity such as their
identification card or driver's license.You should also ask your
potential tenants to give you written permission to double check their
references and credit reports.
How
to Reject Tenant Applications and Your Tenant Hopefuls Correctly
Remember it
is your rights as a landlord to reject tenant application as long as
you do not break your area's fair housing laws.
That is the whole point of running your tenant background checks in the
first place.
If
halfway thru your tenant background check you have already decided
that the person is not suitable as your tenant, it's best not to hand
him a rental application denial outright. Instead tell him that
you will review his application and
give him a ring if he is chosen.
Never ever lie to someone that your property is already rented out
as an excuse to deny rental application. This common mistake
has landed many
landlords
in hot soup.
Simply tell the applicant that you haven't decided on who is
going to be your tenant and that you want to give everyone who is
interested a chance to approach you. It's well within your landlord
rights
to wait for the right tenant to show up but of course you will
giving up rent income during this waiting period.
Do you want to learn MORE practical
must-know facts on
screening your tenants?
Return
from this Tenant Background Check Questions page to our Landlord Tenant Screening
guide
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