Previous Landlord Screening Questions

[Tyler Foshe]

We are getting ready to launch our first rental and we have a question about calling previous landlords when screening prospective tenants. I understand that there can be liability issues for landlords in answering these types of questions. We would not be asking any sensitive questions about the person. My plan would be to ask them, "Can you verify the dates that you rented to this person and would you rent to them again?" Does this seem reasonable? What types of questions do you ask previous landlords? If you were a previous landlord how do you answer these types of questions?

[Curtis Mears]

Yes, I always contact previous landlords. I would not call though. I always get the landlords email and email them with the basic questions of verifying the data listed on the app. With email, you can attach a signed waiver from the applicant allowing the landlord to release the data. My questions are basic like you listed, dates living in unit, have they paid as agreed, would they release to the renter, etc.