Below, then, is our comprehensive list of sixteen warning signs when screening tenant applicants. Each of the following carries different weight in the screening process. Be aware that while some can be automatic deal killers, others must be considered only in conjunction with the other red flags.
(Dan: A note about edits below: Using “tenant” in the singular sounds good, but the problem is “he” or “she” must be used with it. The old style is to always use “he,” but this bias toward men can mislead owners to think women are more trustworthy – Not! So I chose to put “tenant” in the plural and use “they” rather than bounce back and forth between “he” and “she,” which is irritating to the reader.)
1. Bad credit. By far and away, the single predictor of tenants who will pay their rent on time is their credit report and credit score. A bad credit score is a deal breaker in itself. Bad credit score? STOP. Don’t rent to these people! In general we look for a minimum credit score of 620. A credit score of 620 is like getting a C- in school. It’s a passing grade but not great, so it must be supported by the absence of any of the other items on this list.
2. Low income. You don’t have to be a mathematician to understand that if tenants are not making enough in their monthly paycheck, they will not be able to pay the rent. In general, look for a minimum income that is at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.
3. Criminal history. A criminal conviction can be a huge red flag. Get more information and evaluate carefully.
4. More than 3 convictions in 5 years. If has applicants have more than 3 convictions for anything other than traffic violations, it is an indication that they cannot obey rules. Do not look for them to obey your lease. This includes any disturbances, DUIs, driving without a license or insurance, or worse. Count all cases, including any that are “dismissed with conditions” or similar. Do not count speeding tickets or expired tabs in this category. Open and/or pending cases should be counted as convictions until they have been completed in their entirety.
4. A prior eviction. Such applicants might as well be wearing a sign that says, “I don’t care about ripping you off.” These are people who defaulted on their lease but would not make good on it by moving out voluntarily. Evictions kill profits, and you can’t afford to take the risk.
5. Bad landlord references. First of all, if this is your main indicator for determining eligibility of applicants, you are making a big mistake. Far too many landlords ask tenants to leave, only to give them a great reference. Further, tenants can ask friends to pretend they are a landlord and say great things about them. Still, sometimes you can get important information.
Was the entire deposit returned? If not, why? Not getting most of the deposit back is a huge red flag. Late payments are a problem. Terminating a lease early is a problem. Not giving proper notice is an issue. Move on to someone who understands how to be a renter.
6. Aggressive or large breeds of dogs. Pit bulls are illegal in Prince George’s County. Tenants who own pit bulls, rottweilers, chows, akitas, any cross-breed with wolf, or any mix of the above could be a problem. Odds are, your insurance company doesn’t allow many or all of these types either. There have been studies about what kind of people are likely to own these breeds, and these people tend to favor riskier lifestyles. You do not want those types of people.
More people probably get bitten by chihuahuas than by other breeds, but they do not get killed by them. Make no mistake, the nature of the dog is built into the breed; all an owner can do is depress it or enhance it. If you are going to get killed by a dog, there is a near 70% chance it will be a pit bull or rottweiler. You will have a difficult time teaching a pomeranian to fetch a duck; you will also have a difficult time keeping a pit bull from killing with the right set of stimuli. Far too many young toddlers are killed by their own family pit bull, and the kid did nothing wrong except act like prey. If your tenant applicants have an aggressive breed of dog, avoid them at all costs.
7. Asking to pay the deposit after move-in. If tenant applicants don’t have the full deposit at move in, do not rent to them. You will likely never get the full deposit. And you will have a very risky situation.
8. Looking to move in less than a week. If tenant applicants need a place right away, it may not be a godsend for your vacant rental. Instead, it could be another red flag. Why do they need a place so soon? Did they just get a cure/quit notice? Did they realize they couldn’t pay their rent and needed to move out? Are they going to stiff their current landlord and move out without notice?
Yes, there are legitimate reasons for tenants to need to move in less than a week, but it is a bit suspicious so check out the reasons.
9. Living with relatives or in a motel. When people are living with relatives or in a motel, it is a red flag. Did they just need a fast place to stay because of a cure/quit and did not have time to look? This is a common theme among people who are getting evicted. They move in with relatives and try to save money. After a few months, they attempt to move out. Solid tenants always have a place, and it is usually not with friends and relatives.
10. Owing money to the state. If tenants have unpaid traffic tickets or fines, it is a problem. Do you think that they will pay your past due rent if they risk being arrested for having an unpaid fine?
11. A tax lien. This is a big red flag. If the IRS can’t collect on your tenant applicants, how do you suppose you will?
12. Incomplete application. People who won’t fill out the complete rental application should be turned away. It’s a sign of false identity, a bad history, or just plain apathy. Whatever their reason, they are not the right applicants for you.
13. Needy, demanding. If your very first interactions with tenants leave you wanting to pull out your hair, just imagine what it will be like when they have a legal right to the property. Save yourself the headaches.
14. Planning to move mid-lease. If their rental application shows they are looking for a place well in advance of their current lease termination, they may repeat the pattern. Find out more before you get into trouble.
15. Not likely to follow your rules. If you smell cigarette smoke on applicants who are renting a non-smoking unit, or they are covered in cat hair but swear they don’t own a pet, you have a problem. Casual liars make bad tenants.
16. Changing jobs too often. Prefer applicants with careers, not jobs. Look for applicants who are employed at places that have paid vacations, sick days, health insurance and paid holidays. Otherwise you may find rent late due to Christmas, kids getting sick, taking time off to go to a wedding, etc. Prefer not to rent to applicants who are a cashier today, a tire changer tomorrow and a burger flipper in six months. If they change jobs that often, you will soon be without rent when they are between jobs. Look for at least 12 months at the same job or career. It is a lot tougher to track down a judgment and get a garnishment with a job hopper.
