(Question for Landlords)Anyone use a Tenant Screening service such as Resident Check?

[mshan]

Looks like my sister may have to put up her condo as a rental and I am starting to do preliminary research on how to be a landlord.

Tenant Screening seems to be most important decision in terms of preventing a lot of damage to property, and so far I have found this:

http://www.residentcheck.com/alliedsite.net/new_en/rc_gsa_online_ad.html

Any landlords used the Resident Check tenant screening service?

Any better options?

 

[Gibson486]

yeah, a realtor.

 

[mshan]

Is that a serious comment? (if so, could you elaborate on why you say so)

She already has a realtor and I get feeling realtor will do nothing other than put it on MLS as rental in addition to current purchase listing on MLS.

 

[Gibson486]

yes, it is serious....

a realtor (if she is doing her job) will screen your applicants. This means they will do everything, which includes verifying that everything on the application is correct and checking rental references. This is why you hired her. If you have specific requests, then tell her.

 

[mshan]

Interesting, didn't know that.

Do you know if rental listing has to take first qualified applicant, or can wait till at least 3 qualified applicants have submitted applications so she can pick one she thinks will produce least minimal wear and tear on condo?

I told her to delay date condo is available by a few months and do something like schedule rental open house several weeks after listing goes live so hopefully gets multiple interested applicants from which to choose.

 

[Gibson486]

Interesting, didn't know that.

Do you know if rental listing has to take first qualified applicant, or can wait till at least 3 qualified applicants have submitted applications so she can pick one she thinks will produce least minimal wear and tear on condo?

I told her to delay date condo is available by a few months and do something like schedule rental open house several weeks after listing goes live so hopefully gets multiple interested applicants from which to choose.

Unless your state has some law I do not know about, you can deny any tenant for any reason as long as you are not basing your denial on race, sex, etc. In the end, she is just going to filter the applicants. You are gonna be the one making the final yes or no. Remember, though, your are not selling a house, you are renting a condo.

 

[mshan]

More good info I wasn't aware of (just been reading about fair housing laws)

Her condo is in New Jersey.

Is there any time limit in which she has to give yes or no answer to official submitted application?