Showing A Rental Unit
Should you show your vacant unit while your in the process of cleaning and repairing damages from the last tenant.
I have never interveiwed a potential tenant before. Do you have them fill out a rental app. screen first then show property or visa versa.
Your Advice is appreciated. <IMG SRC="images/forum/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif"> [ Edited by RUNNER46 on Date 10/07/2003 ]
It will show better if it is clean, and will attract better tenants. Another bit of advice - don't rush when it comes to selecting a tenant. A good tenant can make your life easier and more profitable for years to come, but a bad tenant will make you wish you never became a landlord. Trust me, I have had both.
I suggest going to your local library and picking up the book Landlording. There is advice and tips for every step of the way including screening tenants. Great book.
Check out the topic here. It has some great information on this subject.
First impressions are best... let the tenant know what you expect... the same condition as you rented it...
Hello RUNNER46,
I never show a unit until it is ready. You do what you like, but it is always better to show a nice clean unit. I will make the mind of the tenant up in a positive way.
Omigosh! Please please please do not do what I did! For my first three tenants I used my own judgment as to whether or not I would let them move in. The first one never paid and I had to evict (twice because the police lost the first eviction papers - this mess lasted 6 months!!!). The second tenant started smoking a HUGE amount of WEED and I finally had to call the police who carted him away. The third tenant couldn't pay and finally left on his own.
YOU MUST CHECK CREDIT. TRUST NO ONE, ESPECIALLY NOT YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT. PEOPLE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE
LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE.
About showing the property, I think it is ok to show if it's not totally ready, but for goodness sake don't let it be a disaster. Aside from not liking what he or she sees, the tenant might want to move in right away and then they will bug you until the property is ready. Who knows? Problems might arise and maybe it turns out to be a long time before the property is ready and then you have an angry tenant who might decide to sue you.
I am also fairly new at landlording...one of the first things I did was join a tenant screening firm and it saved my rear on my very first tenant screening...the applicant had just been evicted a month earlier and failed to mention that on the app....even said he had never been evicted to the direct question on the app...A book that I have found extremely helpful is "Property Management for Dummies"...It has really helped me to get organized...hope this helps
Landlording is a good book. Worth buying. check out www.addall.com and get the newest version (9 I think)
When showing a unit, consider the following.
As has been said, first impressions are lasting. People pay for the new car smell...why should we expect anything different from renters.
If the units not ready, here are a few ideas:
Show a different unit that is occupied. (make sure it's a clean tenant and that you have prior permission and give them proper notice)
Make an appointment for 3 days later (call the day of to verify it)
Paint half a wall....leaving the paint can, brush, and throw tarp in place. Gives it the new paint smell, and they belive you when you tell them that you're painting it. (put the throw tarp over any stains in the carpet that haven't been lifted yet)
Smell is the most lasting of all memories. Use it to your advantage. Sight is the second.
Get apartments ready as quickly as possible. It takes a bit of effort, but generally costs the same and saves you money.
A few more tips on showing to prospective tenant. Get there early and turn on all the lights and make the temperature comfortable (especially during winter months). If the carpets have been cleaned or are new take your shoes off at the door -expect the prospect to do likewise. It sets a standard of excellence and care.
Expecting an application before they see the unit will cause many to shy away. Privacy is important until they want it -then make sure you get plenty of personal references and extended family contacts just in case their is a problem locating them later. Charge a screening fee, it weeds out some who don't want to be found out and adds legitimacy to your profession. A good screening service is not real expensive and saves a multitude of headaches! Happy renting!