Pre-screening before showing

[Jose Gil]

Hey guys,

I am new to the landlord world and I want to make sure I take the proper steps to minimize the risk of getting burnt by a bad tenant. I was wondering if you guys follow the following process to rent a unit? 
1. List rental unit in the market.

2. Pre-screen before showings.

3. Host a potential tenants showing.

4. Have tenants fill out the application.

5. Have the applicant pay a non-refundable background, credit history report and evictions report?

[Isadore Swartz]

1. List rental unit in the market.

       I use Zillow and craigslist.  Most bogus tenants are from Zillow.  My ad states they must attend the open.  All the "is this still available " questions are told attend the open (they never do).  I also know that those people either don't read, or don't care. I don't want either as a tenant.

2. Pre-screen before showings.

       I don't pre screen, but instead host a 3 hour open house on a weekend. All inquiries are sent to the open... period.  If they are serious they will attend.

Also keeps me from having to go to the property 15 times at odd hours, and eliminates all the "Oh poor me" stories.

3. Host a potential tenants showing.  

       At the open I get to meet the prospective tenants, answer questions, and get a general feel about them. 

4. Have tenants fill out the application.

       Only way to get an Application is at the open. A good open will get 5 to 8 applicants. Everyone is shown my written rental criteria for consideration. No application is reviewed before all are received. Review process is stated. All criteria items have a score assigned  (for example income multiple of the rent is a number).  Applications are then ordered highest number first.

That is the order I proceed with. Contacting the top applicant confirming we want to go to the next step, sending them an invite to screening app...repeat as necessary.

5. Have the applicant pay a non-refundable background, credit history report and evictions report? 

       I use a service AAOA.com. Tenants pay for their report, and get a copy automatically. I only send reporting invites to applicants that are seriously considered.  Tenant pays the service, I don't have to handle any money.

Hope this helps.