| You never know exactly what kind of person you | | | | If they have no past rental history, talk to them |
| are going to get applying to live in your apartment | | | | to find out why and make sure they are capable |
| complex or home. This is precisely why you | | | | of making payments on time. |
| need to run background checks and make the | | | | 5. Past evictions |
| person fill out an application form. Here are | | | | Along the same lines as the last point, look to see |
| seven reasons you may reject an application | | | | if the applicant has been evicted from previous |
| during the tenant screening process: | | | | landlords. If so, ask them why they were |
| 1. Income level | | | | evicted and determine if it is a legitimate reason |
| Every company has different rules in regards to | | | | to reject their application. You may want to give |
| income. Some apartment complexes have | | | | the previous landlord a call as well to find out if |
| restricted income levels where there is a minimum | | | | the applicant is telling the whole story. Property |
| and maximum set amount that a tenant can | | | | management companies can also handle this for |
| make. However, most landlords have a minimum | | | | you. |
| requirement such as you must make two times | | | | 6. Criminal record |
| as much as your rent per month. | | | | A lot of times people with a criminal record will be |
| 2. Bad credit history | | | | rejected depending on the crime. Small things |
| During the tenant screening process, one of the | | | | like speeding tickets you will want to overlook, but |
| top things you will want to look at is the credit | | | | any felonies should be taken seriously. While you |
| history of the applicant. If they have poor | | | | will ultimately have the final say, it is important |
| credit, it could mean they might fall behind on | | | | you protect other residents as well, especially |
| payments and will not be able to make rent on | | | | considering litigation can result against you. |
| time. This is something you have to be very | | | | 7. Pets |
| cautious of and may want to require a co-signer. | | | | The final facet that can determine whether or not |
| 3. Exceeds occupancy | | | | you reject the application during the tenant |
| You need to set a limit for how many people are | | | | screening report is pets. Make a decision on |
| allowed to live in the place you are renting out. | | | | whether or not you want to allow pets and if so, |
| If it is a one bedroom, the last thing you want is | | | | what kind of pets and how big they can be. |
| seven people living in the apartment. Make sure | | | | Some apartment complexes allow no pets, others |
| each person who will be living in the place signs | | | | allow just cats, and others allow cats and dogs |
| the lease. | | | | that are smaller than 20 pounds. The reason for |
| 4. Inadequate rental history | | | | this is to ensure the property is left the way the |
| The next thing to look at with the tenant | | | | tenant came in. You can also get a pet deposit to |
| screening report is the applicant's rental history. | | | | cover any expenses once the applicant leaves. |