Some tenants will make your life a breeze, while others will make it a living nightmare. Research and choose the right tenant for your property. To ensure that you’re stuck with the former, screen potential tenants appropriately before choosing a tenant for your property.

Fortunately, there are some recommended actions you can try to protect your property from tenants you’d end up wishing were only applicants. Following are 3 tips for screening potential tenants:

Adhere to Federal Fair Housing Rules

You have the right to find the ‘ideal’ tenant for your property, but you also have a responsibility to adhere to the Federal Fair Housing Act. Follow the rules stated below and in the Federal Fair Housing Act that say you cannot discriminate based on:

• Race or Color
• National Origin
• Sex
• Religion
• Familial status
• Disability

Use a Thorough Application Form

Making potential tenants fill out your application in its entirety is a must. This includes making them sign the document that allows you to run their credit and rental history. Applicants that refuse to comply should not be considered. Call all references given and run a criminal background check. While tenants may find this too intrusive, you shouldn’t show any leniency. After all, it’s your property at risk!

Look for Tenant Screening Services

This is probably the best advice that anyone can give you. Tenant Screening Services have the experience, skills and most importantly the contacts, required to bring out everything about a potential tenant in the open. Ultimately, this helps you to choose the right tenant for your property.

If you’re looking for tenants in Minnesota or Wisconsin, Applegate Properly Management could be the difference between a tenant that gives you no trouble, and one who makes your life a living nightmare. Contact Applegate with any questions or for help choosing the right tenant for your property