Phone Screening?

Question

What questions do you ask on the initial phone call from the prospective tenant?
What ar you looking for in thier answers or what they leave out?

Paige Abu-Nawwas · Answer

Also try to ask open ended questions and let them talk without interrupting, because a lot of times if you just let them keep talking you may get some insight as to what issues may come up.

James H. · Answer

Rather than ask a bunch of question to see if they meet my minimum criteria, I just tell them what it is. If they don't hang up I tell them when I can show the property and what the application fee will be. I am clear with them that the app fee is non-refundable and that we do run a credit check, not to check their credit score, but rather to verify the information they put on the application. I schedule multiple showings at the same time because 80% of my showings don't actually show. And when more than one shows, most of them still won't pass the rental app. Of course, this is a way I have learned to be more efficient with a low income "D" level property. I will still use these techniques when I get a nicer property.

Then, I find that other questions I am interested in asking I prefer to hear the answer in person so I can evaluate their body langauge. My favorite question to ask is why they are moving. I also ask subtle questions here and there to see if I can detect a lie.

Paige is right that keeping them talking is a great way to find out about them. Try not to lead with your questions - this is a skill. The best way to not lead is to be genuinely interested, even if you're not. An example (of many potential scenarios) would be they start talking about family, you are able to deduce that there is a huge child support burden that could effect their ability to pay rent. Also, couples that appear to be on and off but want to move in together are not very appealing.

Paige Abu-Nawwas · Answer

That is so true Marc. Tenants are usually so nervous about calling a landlord and they may come across a little scattered. I also found that if you communicate really well with a tenant from the beginning and explain what your expectations are and if your reasonable in your requests you can create a great tenant. Some have just never been "tenant trained".

Marc Cohen · Answer

Make sure you don't discriminate or you can get into trouble.  Also I have screened over the phone and got a bad taste for them but then met them in person and they were great renters.

Paige Abu-Nawwas · Answer

Usually you want to know if they have good rental history that you can verify. You also want to know how many people will be renting and how many are adults that will be responsible for the rent. Do they have full time jobs and for how long. How long do they plan to rent. Just along those lines so you can determine how reliable they will be as tenants. Whatever your criteria is for your home or apartment just make sure you ask the same of everyone and that you have your criteria in writing and can protect yourself.

Phone Screening?

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