Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles Area · Member since 2021 · 58 posts · 23 votes
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?
Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
9mo
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.
Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
9mo
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.
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.
That is a great idea Curtis. I like your suggestion of emailing them with a waiver from the tenant and a list of questions. Thanks.
@Tyler Foshe based on my experience in calling previous landlords, these are the questions that we usually ask.
Pro tip - Always verify that the person you’re talking to is actually the landlord or manager.
1. Confirm dates
2. Payment history
3. Condition of the unit at move-out
4. Whether I'd rent to them again
Thanks for the feedback. That is a solid list of questions. From another post I saw someone who said he spends more time confirming the identity of previous landlords than actually speaking with them. That does seem like it could be a challenge.
@Tyler Foshe based on my experience in calling previous landlords, these are the questions that we usually ask.
Pro tip - Always verify that the person you’re talking to is actually the landlord or manager.
1. Confirm dates
2. Payment history
3. Condition of the unit at move-out
4. Whether I'd rent to them again
Thanks for the feedback. That is a solid list of questions. From another post I saw someone who said he spends more time confirming the identity of previous landlords than actually speaking with them. That does seem like it could be a challenge.
@Tyler Foshe I believe you should be able to find out based on property tax database.
Good question — I'm actually looking into this.... Beyond just "can you verify the dates / would you rent to them again," the harder part seems to be confirming the person answering is really the landlord and not a friend covering for the applicant. I'm exploring whether a tool that handles that whole verification step (sends the questions, flags anything that doesn't match what the applicant told you, hands you a report) would be worth paying for once you're up and running — or if doing it yourself by phone/email is good enough. Curious what you think. Genuinely just researching, nothing built yet.