| It is extremely difficult to be a good landlord if | | | | pre-screen people over the phone before they |
| you have unruly tenants. It is not only important | | | | actually view your property. |
| to find tenants to rent or lease your property, it's | | | | You can also post an ad in your local newspaper's |
| critical to find ones that will not be a hassle. This | | | | classifieds section. This will cost you a small fee |
| article is a landlord's guide to great tenants and | | | | but there are people who still read the paper who |
| we discuss: complying with discrimination laws, | | | | are looking for a house. Finally, you need to post |
| how to advertise effectively, using the right | | | | a sign in your yard stating that your property is |
| application forms, and handling a tenant | | | | for rent. You can get a few good hits off of this |
| background check. | | | | sign and they are cheap to make. |
| Complying with discrimination laws is crucial as a | | | | When you are beginning to receive interest in |
| landlord. The Fair Housing Act states that you are | | | | your property it is important that you use the |
| unable to prevent renting a house to someone | | | | right application forms. The right forms will help |
| because of their race, religion, status, and a | | | | you to find out important information you need |
| number of other reasons. Also, the Americans | | | | about your potential tenant. If you do not use the |
| with Disabilities Act states cannot discriminate | | | | form, you put yourself at risk to get a tenant |
| against those with mental or physical disabilities. | | | | who will not pay the rent on time, who might |
| To comply with these laws it is important that | | | | wreck your house or just be plain hard to deal |
| you protect yourself during the advertising and | | | | with. You can find examples of these forms for |
| screening process. If you put even one thing that | | | | free by surfing online. |
| could be viewed as discrimination you can be | | | | The application form also helps you when it |
| faced with legal troubles; regardless if you are | | | | comes to handling a tenant background check. A |
| discriminating or not. Make sure that you follow | | | | tenant background check will provide you with a |
| the FHA and Disabilities Act as well as any other | | | | potential tenant's employment background, |
| local statutes. | | | | residential history, savings report, bankruptcy |
| Once you have double and triple checked that | | | | records, past evictions, and other relevant financial |
| your advertising does not violate the FHA and | | | | details. You can find a good bureau for this online |
| Disabilities Act you need to begin an advertising | | | | by surfing rate-a-renter. Establish what you can |
| campaign. There are three ways to advertise | | | | and can't accept from renters and after looking at |
| effectively: Craigslist, the classifieds, and a sign in | | | | the tenant check, base your decision on that |
| your yard. | | | | criteria.. |
| The best place to start advertising is Craigslist. As | | | | Being a landlord is hard when it comes to finding a |
| the internet continues to take over our lives | | | | good tenant. Follow the information provided in |
| Craigslist has become a dominate force in the | | | | this landlord's guide to great tenants and you will |
| advertising world. You can post an ad on Craigslist | | | | be on your way to having a tenant that will make |
| for your property for free and thousands will | | | | your life easier! |
| potentially see it. Always be careful to initially | | | | |