Can I ask to see condition of prospective tenant's current home?

Question

I'm a bit leery when prospective tenant tells me they are really clean because some landlords just want to get rid of a problem tenant.

As part of my screening process, can I ask potential applicant I plan to select if I could walk through current residence?  I can easily drive by to see if the grass is cut or the blinds and screens are all torn up.  A walk through current residence will reveal how tenants will most likely keep my property if s/he were selected to lease.

Adam Bartomeo · Answer

@Jay Hinrichs I was a corporate manager for years. When hiring I would walk them to their car just to see the condition of the interior and exterior. I saved a lot of time and headache...

Kelli Jagmin · Answer

There was a podcast recent-ish with a guy who does a lot of Section 8 housing in the Washington DC area. He said he always does this after he’s narrowed it down to a few top applicants - a walk through of their current home to see how they live. He said he does a very very thorough screening process and it’s helped him have very good, quality, long term tenants. If it makes you more comfortable, why not? If they really want your rental, they’ll be willing to let you.

Rik Hunter · Answer

I think Brandon Turner said it in a podcast, but you could ask for contact info for the last two landlords to avoid the problem you described.

Marissa Eskridge · Answer

Some family friends taught me this. Take a second to peek in their car window!

Olivia G Gonzalez · Answer

To everyone mentioning cars, my home is always immaculate-like ocd level immaculate. However, my car is a 20 year old piece of junk and always messy. I've always been a perfect tenant. Never paid late, never damaged anything. Just ask the person straight up how they rate themselves in terms of looking after a home and what they say and the nonverbal cues will likely tell you what you need to know :)

Corby Goade · Answer

Honestly- if you are this worried about your screening and tenant selection process, I'd recommend that you talk to some professional PMs in your area about hiring them before you do this on your own. BP has a PM recommendation tool you can use.

Tenant screening and management can turn a great investment in to a total nightmare and most new landlords don't actually save any money by self managing.

I know I'm not directly answering your question, but I'm going to go against the grain and say no, don't do that. It's weird and it shows your lack of experience and anxiety to your prospective tenant. If you have a "professional" tenant on your hands, they'll see that from a mile away and know they can take you for a ride.

If you follow the HUD best practices for screening tenants, you'll be fine and are almost guaranteed to end up with a pretty solid tenant.

Best of luck!

Henry T. · Answer

Have it as a standard part of your listed screening criteria.

"Current residence will be visited". Simple as that and keep it vague.

Need a reason? Evidence of smoking.  Number of vehicles. Lawn care. General appearance must meet our standard. No used tires in yard.

Melanie Thomas · Answer

I’d discourage this, as it can lead to fair housing issues. Set a screening criteria and follow it consistently every time—never deviate. Good luck & happy investing!

Jean Wilner Wilner · Answer

I asked the prospective tenants, and she said it is inappropriate for me to stop by her place.

Can I ask to see condition of prospective tenant's current home?

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