Finding the perfect tenant

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  • Divin KanyamaBusiness Member
    Accountant · Seattle, WA · Member since 2025 · 671 posts · 278 votes
    12h

    Welcome, @Mark Matusiewicz! You’re asking the right questions before getting started. I’d focus on a repeatable process rather than trying to find the “perfect” tenant. Start with written screening criteria, verify income and rental history, and apply your standards consistently while following fair housing rules. I wouldn’t rely on a good first impression alone.

    For the paperwork, I’d use a lease tailored to the property’s state and local requirements and have a local landlord-tenant attorney review it—not just download a random contract. Make sure rent, deposits, utilities, maintenance responsibilities, and how to report repairs are clearly addressed. I’d also do a move-in walkthrough with the tenant, document the condition with photos and a signed checklist, and keep the lease, payment records, and repair communications organized in one secure place. Keep the system simple enough that you’ll actually use it. And remember, clear communication and being responsive matter on your side, too!

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  • Ametria Chaney
    Realtor · Memphis, Shelby County · Member since 2026 · 274 posts · 98 votes
    2h

    Welcome, Mark — you are thinking about this the right way by starting with a system, not just hoping for a good tenant. I would add one thing to Divin's advice: verify, do not just collect. Call the prior landlord, not just the current one, check pay stubs against bank deposits where you can, and actually read the credit and background report rather than glancing at a score. Set your written criteria before you show the home, and apply them the same way to every applicant, every time. At the showing, be clear about rent, due dates, maintenance, and how repairs are reported, so expectations are set before move-in. A tenant who knows the rules up front and sees you respond promptly is far more likely to stay, pay on time, and take care of the place.

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  • Amit PatelBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Bartlett, IL · Member since 2025 · 177 posts · 68 votes
    2h

    Welcome! The good news is most of finding a good tenant comes down to being consistent, not lucky.

    Start by writing down your screening criteria before you list, things like income around 3 times the rent, no recent evictions, and good landlord references. Then apply the exact same rules to every applicant. It keeps you fair, keeps you on the right side of fair housing laws, and makes saying no much easier. Always verify income with pay stubs or bank statements, and call the previous landlord, not just the current one. The current one might say anything to get them out.

    For the lease, use one written for Michigan and have a local attorney look it over once. Make sure it clearly covers rent and late fees, who handles which repairs, utilities, pets, and how notices are given. Then on move-in day, walk the unit with the tenant, take dated photos of every room, and have them sign the checklist. That one step saves so many arguments at move-out.

    After that, it’s just about being responsive. Tenants who feel taken care of tend to take care of your place too.

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  • Ryan BrownPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Louisville, KY · Member since 2022 · 98 posts · 31 votes
    1h

    Mark, the screening and lease advice above is solid, so I'll add two things that come up after that.

    First, once you find a good tenant, work to keep them. I've given good tenants breaks on rent rather than push for every last dollar. Someone who pays on time, takes care of the place and doesn't call over every little thing is worth more than another $100 a month. One expensive turnover can wipe out a year of cash flow, and there's no guarantee the next tenant will be as good. Your best tenant is often the one you already have.

    Second, your property affects who applies. A clean, well-maintained unit with good photos and an accurate description tends to attract applicants who expect to take care of it. If the place looks neglected, you'll often get applicants who treat it that way. Have it truly rent-ready before you list, and you'll give yourself a better pool to screen from.

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