One of the most critical parts of San Diego property management is the screening process, and it’s a frequently asked question when we talk to potential customers. Property owners often want to know how we manage tenant screening in San Diego, and what we do to verify all the information that is provided on an application.
Checking Credit Reports
For professional property managers, screening is a pretty easy process because we have access to a lot of tools and resources. Screening an applicant’s credit is an absolute must. This will tell you what kind of record a potential tenant has when it comes to paying bill and managing money. You need to know if there are an outstanding utility collections, bankruptcies, or money owed to former landlords. Always check credit carefully, and make sure you go beyond looking at the credit score.
Verify Income
Take a look at the applicant’s income as well. You have to verify that they actually earn what they say they earn. This is important because you want to be sure that as tenants, they’ll be able to pay their rent on time every month.
Talking to Former Landlords
We do look at rental history as well, and this is just as important as the other background information. You’ll be able to talk about their history with making on time payments, keeping property in good condition, and whether their pets were well behaved. This is imperative to selecting a great resident for your home.
Get to Know Your Applicants
We show tenants properties, and sometimes we show them multiple properties. During this time, we chat informally about the type of work they do, how long they have lived in the area, and where they’re from. This is a good opportunity to find out everything we can about them. The credit report and landlord references will tell you much of what you need to know, but meeting them and getting to know them is invaluable. Find out what they are looking for so you can be sure your property is a good fit. This might be time consuming, but it’s worth the effort.
If you’re not sure how to effectively handle tenant screening in San Diego, or you have any questions about property management in San Diego, please contact us at Mercer Properties.
