Choosing a reliable tenant: 9 tips for landlords

Don't rush to choose a reliable tenant: ask the right questions in the first communication, conduct a home inspection yourself, record the condition of the house with the tenant with photos, and clearly discuss the distribution of utility bills in advance. The following 9 tips will help you both protect your home and build a long-term and peaceful rental relationship.

Announcement and initial communication

1. Describe the house as it is in the ad. If the number of rooms, floor, heating system, whether the house is furnished or unfurnished, your opinion about a pet, and the rental period are clearly written in the ad, you will be approached by people who agree with these conditions. This saves you time and prevents future dissatisfaction. Don't hide the shortcomings of the house: foretelling an issue that will already be visible at a glance builds confidence. If you add clear, daylight photos of each room to your ad, people who are genuinely interested in the home will apply more quickly.

2. Treat the first call as a brief introductory conversation. During the phone conversation, ask why the tenant is looking for a home, how long they want to stay, and when they plan to move out. A person who speaks politely, answers questions openly, and listens carefully to your terms usually shows the same attitude in later stages. Be wary of applications that avoid answers and rush you without being interested in details.

What does the review show

3. Take the viewing yourself. Being there when showing the house gives you the opportunity to get to know the tenant. Pay attention to how he looks at the house, what questions he asks. A person who cares about the heating system, water pressure, neighborhood and the need for repairs usually takes responsibility for the house because he is serious about living here for a long time.

4. Don't make a decision in a hurry. Meeting several candidates separately allows you to calmly compare them. You don't have to make the decision right away at the end of the meeting; It's perfectly normal to say "I'll let you know in a day or two." Be open about all the weak points of the house during the inspection, because honesty breeds honesty.

It is also useful to ask the tenant to come to the inspection with other adults who will live in the house. In this case, the whole family sees the house in advance, and the possibility of moving quickly because "this house is not suitable for us" is reduced. During the meeting, also briefly explain your expectations for the home, such as smoking in the building, use of the yard, and the comfort of the neighbors.

Family composition and needs

5. Find out who will live in the house. This question is not to interfere in personal life, but to check the compatibility of the house. A large family living in a two-room apartment may not be comfortable both for the house and for the family itself. If there are small children, talk together about the safety of the stairs, the balcony and the yard. Ask in advance about things like pets, working from home, frequent guests, so that unexpected situations do not arise later.

Knowing the needs of the family is also beneficial for you. For example, a family looking for a home close to their children's school often tends to stay longer, which means stability for the homeowner and not having to look for new tenants as often.

Joining the condition of the home

6. Photograph each room together before you move in. Photograph or video the walls, floors, kitchen, plumbing, windows, and appliances to show their history. Keeping these files on both sides is the simplest and fairest way: when the lease ends, there is no dispute about what was originally how.

7. Make a list of items. In a furnished home, make a short list of items such as furniture, carpet, refrigerator, washing machine, and their condition, and review the list with the tenant. This step protects both you and the tenant, because the old damage is not recorded in the new tenant's name later.

• Take photos of the meter readings on the day of the move.
• Record the number of keys delivered.
• Write down any defects (cracks, stains, broken sockets).
• A copy of all photos and records to the tenant. send.

Utility payments and communication procedure

8. Agree on the distribution of utility bills in advance. Before you move in, discuss who will pay for electricity, gas, water, internet, and the general costs of the building, and in what order. Determine how receipts will be sent, what day of the month the payment will be made. It is also useful to remember that heating costs will increase in winter, so that the tenant can plan his budget accordingly.

9. Establish a communication schedule. Agree on how the tenant will notify you when repairs are needed, and how much notice you will give before coming home. Respectful and consistent communication makes the tenant take more care of the house. Responding to small problems in time prevents big costs in the future.

It is also a good habit to text each other the main points you talked about, for example, the payment day, the distribution of utility costs, and the contact procedure during repairs. This helps you remember what was agreed upon months later and reduces verbal misunderstandings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions can you ask the tenant?

It is normal to ask how many people will live in the house, how long they want to stay, whether they have pets, and when they want to move out. Questions should be about the suitability of the house and not interfere with personal life.

Is it really necessary to take photos of the condition of the house?

Yes, this is the simplest method of protection for both parties. Photos and videos taken on the day of the move avoid misunderstandings when the lease ends.

How to choose if there are several candidates?

Look at the openness of communication, the answers to your questions and the attitude to the house. A candidate who accepts your terms and shows himself to be responsible is usually the best choice.

If you are looking to rent out your home, the Evim Imlak team can help you prepare an ad and find a suitable tenant. You can view current ads on the site or contact us about your home.