MTR do you do a traditional screening?

Question

Hearing from an MTR expert, he voiced something interesting. He said he gets leads from furnished finder, gives them a call, and doesn't screen those tenants. He simply calls them and asks a few questions, like why they're coming to the area and where their job site is. He doesn't run a form tenant screening because he assumes their employer has already vetted them. Usually, I still screen tenants through software that does a background check. Thinking if I should let go of this process? I'm still kind of hesitant to try only that method. Let me know your thoughts.

Andrew Glisson · Answer

Manage close to 100 in Memphis. Anyone wanting to go off platform for a longer term has a full screen and goes on a lease.

Dana Kimball · Answer

I screen every Furnished Finder lead. My two MTRs near Asheville are mostly travel nurses and even though the hospital technically vets them, I've caught a prior eviction on a background check that would've been a real problem. Background check on the tenant's dime, lease, security deposit. The phone call is still worth doing too because you learn a lot about someone in five minutes.

Jonathan Styer · Answer

@Mose Gebremeskel - We definitely screen all FF leads. We require a background/credit check (that they pay for) and require our guests to sign a lease and pay a security deposit. We manage over 100 furnished rentals in Central Ohio, most of which are MTRs and never get any push back on this. If a guest were to refuse, it's an easy no from us and we move on. We often have more guests than we do places to put them so maybe it's different in other markets. If they come from Airbnb, we do not require background checks but still require they sign a lease.

Michael K Gallagher · Answer

@Mose Gebremeskel I think it would have to do alot with local laws and guidlines.  Before I would let go of screening I'd ensure you'd not have issues getting someone out as a worst case. I generally abide by the, "whatever you do for one do for all".

Jimmy Lieu · Answer

Welcome to BP, nice to have you here! I get where you’re coming from—some people skip formal screening when they’re working with corporate or traveling tenants because they assume the employer has already vetted them, but I’d still be cautious. Even if they’re vetted, it doesn’t hurt to do a quick background or credit check—it can catch things like prior evictions or other red flags that an employer wouldn’t see. A short, simple screen doesn’t take much time and can save headaches later. You can also tailor it so it’s fast and low friction for good tenants. At the end of the day, it’s about balancing trust and risk, and a light screening usually adds more protection than it takes away.

Drew Sygit · Answer

So, what safeguards do each of the major MTR sites offer you if somehow a squatter moves into your property or steals all the appliances?

1) Airbnb?

2) VRBO?

3) Furnished Finders?

Both situations have happened to us.

So, why wouldn't you find out?

Kodie Talley · Answer

We screen everyone. One extra step for peace of mind.

MTR do you do a traditional screening?

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