Screen Your Landlord | Rosewood Holdings

SCREEN YOUR LANDLORD

I know the title of this article sounds a little funny, but you as a tenant really need to take this seriously, especially if you are looking to rent a single-family home. Here's why.

Over the last several years real estate has been pushed via nearly every media outlet possible, as an easy way to make a quick buck. I'm sure you've seen some of the infomercials on TV or heard some of the radio spots pronouncing, "no money down" or "bad credit" okay. Instead of placing the emphasis where it should be - pushing the importance and responsibilities involved with being a landlord, it's been placed on making easy money. Unfortunately, some of the folks who have able to get into this business, have no right being in it. They are lured into the prospect of making easy money fast, and essentially are in it for that reason only, with total disregard as to what happens to a tenant that may reside in the property involved in their monopoly game.

Please understand that I'm not saying that this is the case with most landlords. There are quite a number of property owners out there that take their responsibilities very seriously.

There are some very easy steps that you as a tenant can take to ensure you don't get stuck with a "slumlord", including the following:

- While calling perspective property owners about their rentals, ask if you could obtain the names and phone numbers of a couple of tenants for referrals. If the property owner becomes upset at your inquiry, or if he/she refuses to give you any referrals, simply move on to the next. Those types of actions are a pretty good indication that you may be dealing with one of those "slumlords". Any decent property owner would have no problem providing referrals, and in fact, should welcome your concern about who you will be renting from. When given referrals, don't just stop there. Call! Inquire as to what these tenants' experience has been like with their landlord.

- Search the municipal and criminal court databases online to see if your perspective landlord has any background cases you should be concerned about. A high number of environmental court hearings for instance, could be an indicator that this property owner doesn't do a very good job of keeping care of his or her properties. A large number of cases where the landlord is listed as the Defendant could be a concern. What if your perspective landlord has been deemed a sexual predator? Would you want to rent from that person? The links above will take you to these resources. Take some time and go to these sites and learn how to use the information there. It's public information that is very valuable. And by the way, these resources are also resources your landlord will likely utilize in checking background information on you as a perspective tenant.

- Rental application fees. It's almost a guarantee that you will be charged an application fee when applying for a perspective property. These fees are generally utilized to cover the expense of pulling your credit report. If you are going to be charged an excessive application fee (I call anything $50 or more per applicant excessive), I'd simply hang up the phone and move on to the next property. When applying, ask if you can get a copy of the credit report that the property owner will be pulling on you. If the property owner does not intend to give you a copy of that report, don't apply. After all, you are paying for it and every time your credit is pulled, it pulls down your credit score. You pay for it, you should get a copy of it. Also ask if the application fee can be waived if you have a recent copy of your own credit report. Click that link and pull your own for free.

- Property condition. If you get to the point that you're actually visiting pespective rental property, be sure and check its condition. Is it well kept? Does it appear to be well-maintained? Take some time and really inspect the home. Open cabinets and look for possible leaks in the plumbing. Are any faucets actively leakiing? How about the windows? Are they newer, insulated windows, or are they old, single-pane outdated windows? Outdated windows can cost you a hefty penny in your heating and cooling bills. The condition of a property is very good indicator as to the type of maintenance you can expect from the property owner. If it's a piece of crap, you can expect the maintenance upkeep to be in the same vein.

If you would like to discuss any negative experiences you have had, or are currently experiencing with your landlord, please call me. I would be more than happy to help research your problems and direct you to avenues that will assist in dealing with your particular situation.