Tenants and Guarantor Dilemna
Hi Everyone,
I am in need of some major advice. I am starting out with my first rental in Maryland and decided to hire a real estate agent. My realtor has made a couple of errors with the listing and showing process, so I am not sure I can rely on her work.
My realtor is pushing for this one applicant. They are a young couple, 28 and 29, one is a graduate student and one is starting his business, but both have no real income or job. They also have a big dog. They got his parents as the guarantor with a lot of funds in the bank, but my realtor won't show me the credit report.
We renovated our whole house and put a lot of money into it, our house is considered a luxury rental, so I am a little nervous renting to renters with such a large dog (Mastif). My question are:
1. Am I allowed to request a credit report of tenant and guarantor from my realtor?
2. With no real job or prior rental, what other ways can I check the actual tenants besides interviewing with them?
3. Any questions I should ask during the interview?
4. My realtor told me I can ask for 2 months rent as a deposit, but that's the most I can do to protect myself. What if the dog and tenant damages more than that?
5. Besides having the guarantor signed an agreement also, what else can I do to protect myself from the tenant leaving and the guarantor refusing to pay?
I would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Thanks a million!