Tenant's Guide For Rental Screening

When you're looking for a rental and you have a scheduled interview with a potential landlord, it is already a given that he will do some background check on you and he wants to know every detail about you regarding your credit and your overall accountability as a person.
Of course you want to make a good impression and let him know that you are a law abiding citizen and you're not someone who will do unfortunate things to the property but it takes more than words to assure the landlord of such things. You want proof that you are as good as it gets.
When screening tenants, landlords go into comprehensive digging about their potential tenants, afterall, some lease are long term and they don't want any trouble coming up because they forgot to do their homework.

As a potential tenant here are some guidelines that you may want to take into consideration before undergoing a rental screening.

Your Ability To Pay Your Rent

This is considered to be on top of the list. If you are planning to live there for quite a while and even if it's just a short-term situation, proving that you can pay rent gives you the edge over others. Your potential landlord will consider you above others if you earn at least three times more than the monthly rent. The landlord sets the rules regarding this matter but it is your duty if you want to pass the screening to prove that you have enough money for your rent.


Your Willingness To Pay The Rent On Time

Some tenants got money but they lack reliability and they tend to miss out on their obligations but everybody needs to earn money and that includes your landlord so if you have a history of not paying a months rent or even more then you can kiss this opportunity goodbye as it's just right for the landlord to choose tenants that can prove they pay their rent on time.

Your Job Stability

Some people have the habit of switching jobs and landlords see that as a red flag. Even if you can pay your rent today when you still have a job, what happens when you suddenly resign and couldn't find a new one soon? Landlords want tenants who won't miss rent so you need to have a steady job and prove that you're not someone who will abruptly quit.

Your Evictions

Most landlords don't like giving chances to tenants who were evicted before but if you have a good reason in case you've experienced this, now is the chance to come clean and be honest about it. Don't wait for your landlord to find out first.

Your Housekeeping Skills

The property you're renting is your responsibility and while you don't own it, your landlord will thank you big time for taking care of it. And when you're undergoing another screening process, your past landlord will say nice things about how you kept your area properly maintained which are plus points for you on your next screening process.

Your Activities

Whether or not you live alone, your landlord wants tenants who are clean living. No one wants a tenant who engages in illegal activities so make sure that you can prove that you always stay away from these things.

Your Requirements

If the landlord has a list of things that are unbendable and some negotiable, you may have too so you need to make sure that the things you're asking for like parking slot or maintenance are reasonable. No landlord wants a tenant who constantly demands time and attention. It's alright to ask for assistance but don't make it habitual if there are things you can resolve by yourself.

Your Honesty

All in all, honesty is still the best policy. If there were instances you missed rent or you changed jobs at one point in your career or you were evicted or there was a time your former landlord called your attention for leaving trash by your front door and so on, now is your chance to tell everything from the good to the bad and let him know that if there were times when you had a weak moment, that you are totally sorry for that but you will be a good tenant and cause no trouble. And make sure if he accepts you that you're really prove it to him.