Choosing a tenant... Help!

[Andrea Kraft]

I have a couple questions about choosing a tenant...

1) When using a company like Rentprep.com do you send everyone a link for a background/credit check -or- do you have them fill out an application 1st and determine from there who to have complete a background screening?

2) Once the background checks come back...Let's say they are all good. Can you deny someone if you feel another will just be a better fit? What if you don't have a specific reason?  For example, I have one tenant who is building and will for sure move out in a year and I have another who have always rented and I feel like they might stick around a bit longer...Can I deny the others just because I "think" the others will be longer term??

Thank you!!

[Brandon Rush]

Hey Andrea,

Here are answers to your questions, based on my experience self managing:

1) When using a company like Rentprep.com do you send everyone a link for a background/credit check -or- do you have them fill out an application 1st and determine from there who to have complete a background screening?
-I personally use tenantcloud as my property management platform. It has an application feature for potential tenants. I have ALL tenants over the age of 18 complete the free application if they are interested in the apartment. This initial application either pre-qualifies or disqualifies them as a potential tenant. From there, I select the tenant(s) I would like to move forward with and then send them a link for the background check. The background check does require they pay, typically $35 a person.

2) Once the background checks come back...Let's say they are all good. Can you deny someone if you feel another will just be a better fit? What if you don't have a specific reason? For example, I have one tenant who is building and will for sure move out in a year and I have another who have always rented and I feel like they might stick around a bit longer...Can I deny the others just because I "think" the others will be longer term??
- Yes, you definitely can. As long as you are not doing it for discriminatory reasons, you will be ok. I myself take into account which tenants would be best to avoid constant turnover and stay a bit longer. 

I hope that was helpful, and please reach out if you have any other questions.

Good luck!