Here is what you need to do to easily prescreen a tenant, save time, and keep your profits up as a landlord.
Here is the right way to prescreen a tenant that has only inquired, without taking a lot of your time.
I have corrected some of the grammar and added punctuation, added paragraphs and headings, and capitalization for clarity. It was sent from a phone, so often the limited typing real estate on the phone keyboard is a problem.
I do not want to waste my time showing apartments to people that would not pass my screening criteria. I need to prescreen a tenant, BEFORE I show the apartment or let them into another tenants home. Showing an apartment to unqualified prospects is a waste of my time, and the prospects time. I also do not want to change my criteria for any new tenants, as it could be perceived as a Fair Housing issue.
The Sob Story
Hello, my name is JC, I am very interested in your property that is currently available to rent. I am a single mother with a 4-year-old son.
I recently lived over south Minneapolis in a two bedroom for 1,000 a month including utilities. I would have resigned my lease but I was forced to move due to health violations, I am now couch hoping from family to friends’ houses.
I hope you can call me so we can discuss further details about your rental property.
The Excuses
In the last 3 years I have been evicted twice I was evicted out of my home due to someone breaking and leaving me with the rent to pay by myself, He was an ex of mines who I had to put an order of protection against which led to a restraining order. He was the father of my child I lived with him in both homes where I was evicted which ended in a UD because i no longer had his share to complete the rent.
I have taken care of the problem and paid full my debt off and I have no issues with renting out other properties even though I have the eviction on my record I am an honest and humbled person just trying to have a safe and secure place for my child to lay his head.
I can pay first, last and security deposit or even double the deposit to your liking I work two jobs one full time the other part time.
The Plead
I’m a single mom who is looking for someone who has compassion in their heart to give me a chance to be an awesome tenant, I’m honest self-driven a hard worker I independent I have grown financially mentally and physically after letting go of my abusive partner. I have a son who needs a stable roof over his head.
I can be reached at 612-555-1212 or via email Thank you.
My Response
Thank you for inquiring on my property.
This unit will be available October 1st, 2017.
This is a three-bedroom, one bath unit. It is a non-smoking building. Each additional adult tenant, over two, will be an extra $50. There are two flights of stairs to get into the unit. After that, it is all one level.
The rent price includes water, sewer, garbage, lawn maintenance and snow removal. It was built in 1984, so it is fairly energy efficient, and does not have lead paint. It does not include gas or electric, which runs ~$125 per month. The deposit is $1,400.
There is a tandem garage, one car parks in front of the other. The garage is not heated, but with all the heated common walls, it generally stays above freezing. There is a washer and dryer inside the unit. The unit has a window air conditioner that works extremely well.
Pets are allowed, however no Akita, Chow, Pit-bull, Rottweiler, or any cross breed with wolf are allowed. A $25 fee per pet is a general rule of thumb.
Eagan’s Dog Park, about a mile away
http://www.cityofeagan.com/index.php/parks/off-leash-dog-area
I generally show the unit on weekends between 11 AM and 4 PM and sometimes during the week between 6 PM and 7 PM. You will need to schedule an appointment first, and then confirm the appointment ~30 minutes before you arrive.
My Criteria to Prescreen a Tenant
I will be looking for tenants with a 625+ credit score, and a solid household income of at least ~$48,000 per year. If you are marginal on both items, I will generally decline you. Your criminal and rental history must be clean. If you have had a foreclosure, I can work with you a bit on this.
I do not take Section 8. If you have had an eviction, or you have had recent criminal activity including DUIs, I generally will pass on you. If you are not a legal resident of the USA, I will not be able to rent to you as I cannot perform a valid background check.
I have a Real Estate license, so if you are preparing to buy a home, this is a perfect fit. If you purchase a home through me, I can make sure the lease transition is easy, and also give you up to $500 back at closing to help with your moving expenses or anything you want. Sort of like a rent to own, but you buy the place you want, not this place.
If you are still interested and want to look at the apartment, please let me know.
Virtual Tour link
Link Here
Eric 651-555-1212
my email here
Conclusion
I never heard back from the prospect and I am glad I have a pre-formatted letter to be able to prescreen a tenant properly. I wish her the best of luck in a difficult situation, but I am not willing to take a chance on a person that may attract another abusive partner. The abuser likely has a criminal record, and I do not want that abuser in my place. She was evicted two times, neither was her fault… I do not want to be the third landlord to be fooled.
I leave that to the new landlords…