Choosing a tenant

[cesami20]

I am sure there must be many discussions about choosing tenants. I cannot find the discussions though. Can you please give me a few ideas where I can start? Can I ask then to their trademe ID where I can find some feedback from other customers?
Thanks

[MikeC]

Always use an application form. It should ask:
Full legal names of all proposed tenants.
ID details (drivers license or passport) of everyone over eighteen - check the names match exactly to the applicants.
Previous addresses (everything from the past 3 years) with landlord or property manager name and contact details.
Whether they have ever been to tenancy tribunal.
Permission to contact previous landlords or property managers.
Permission to do a credit check.
Get it signed.


While selecting tenants:
Check for tenancy tribunal decisions online.
If possible, find your own number to contact previous landlords - look up agencies and names in the phone book. Use sites (QV, council, core logic, open corporates etc) to check landlords name given matches property owner name.
Make a list of questions to ask former landlords which verify that they are really the landlord (e.g. How much rent did you charge? What date did they move in and out?) and be suspicious if they don't immediately know the answer.
Make a list of questions to ask the previous landlords once you're happy they were the real landlord Aany issues with rent payment? Was the property kept in good condition? Did you refund the full bond?).
Consider doing a credit check (tinz etc).


When you select someone:
Always take four weeks bond plus one week in advance. Never allow this to be paid off. Anyone who struggles with this will struggle to pay the rent.

[MikeC]

No, I wouldn't ask trademe or Facebook ids.
stick to the above, and follow your gut feeling about people.

[sidinz]

Can I ask then to their trademe ID where I can find some feedback from other customers?
Thanks

What makes you even think that they'd have Trademe accounts?

Besides, feedback there is often inaccurate. I got a few changed from positive to negative after I left (accurately) negative feedback. Some odd bods on that site.

Even if it was all positive, I fail to see how good feedback from people they've traded with will tell you if their kids will wreck your house, for example.

[Bobsyouruncle]

Yes checking their facebook is an excellent idea. Recruiters and HR departments use it a lot now. You can find out what they are really like. Very, very useful.

[RollingCloud]

Yes Facebook is very useful screening tool. Gives you a great insight to who they are, their attitudes, and also who their friends are which are all potential visitors to your rental.

[Frezzinghot]

Ones that have a good credit rating, have not been to tenancy tribunal are a good start.

[FJW]

Hi Cesami

Always get photo ids off them
Vet all applicants 18 years an over

That' a couple of the main ones to do

Hope that helps

[Hec]

Choosing the BEST Tenant - This works no end ..
Have open home Maximum 30 minutes. Do NOT adjust the time to suit a prospective tenant.
Do NOT let people see the house before or after the advertised open home time. ( However a drive by is ok of course )
At the Open Home :
1. Let people wander through and chat amongst themselves. SHUT YOUR OWN MOUTH
2. Take down names and numbers of those interested. DO NOT LET THE HOUSE at the open home.
3. Follow MikeC's advice above.
4. from step 1 above you will know who the best tenant is and you will get better at it with practise. Your Gut will tell. Always listen to it.

Always make repairs immediately.
Always buy your great tenants a Xmas Ham at xmas.

If you do not want to do it yourself - a good property manager is well worth the cut they take - And if they are good , buy them a Xmas Ham

Hope that helps

Hec

[flyernzl]

Check out their car (and, if possible, drive past their current tenancy).

If the car (and the current tenancy) are tidy and clean that's a good start.

(I could also say avoid anyone with a law degree and/or drives an Audi, but that's just me!)

[Nick G]

If you're not sure where to start I would let via a property manager and take notes before.

[Hec]

Choosing the tenant

Check out their car (and, if possible, drive past their current tenancy).

If the car (and the current tenancy) are tidy and clean that's a good start.

(I could also say avoid anyone with a law degree and/or drives an Audi, but that's just me!)

True
One of the best things i ever did was study and practise body language and negotiating. Lots of books etc on the subjects.
Amazing results. My "stuffing things up" rate dropped to nearly zero.
Tho sometimes i still have a problem with shutting the f up and listening ..... hahaha must be the genes

Hec

[PTILoveYou]

Tenancy
1) Advertise for a tenant 1-2 weeks prior to completion of renovation, preferably after carpet is laid, and before final details and cleaning are complete

2) Go to Tenancy Tribunal or Department of Housing and Building website, and:
a) Learn about the Tenancy Act
b) Download, print, and read:
- Tenancy application form
- drivers licenses
- Tenancy Agreement
- Tips on Tenancy


3) Setup viewing with potential tenants
a) Talk to tenant to find out their background, where they work, what they do at work, where they
live, how long they stayed in their current rental, how long they intend to stay at yours, etc
b) Tell the tenant the terms of tenancy, ie 12 months fix term contract, 3 week bond + 1 week rent
in advance as moving cost
c) Get potential tenant to fill out and sign Tenancy Application Form – Tenant MUST sign this form,
and also take a photo of their drivers license
d) if the tenant wants to take the place:
- get 1 week rent as Deposit, tell tenant this is refundable if you decide not to let to them, and
also if tenant change their mind, the Deposit is not refundable.
- arrange a time for you to go to the tenant’s home to collect the Deposit. This gives you a
chance to look at how they will treat your place after they move in.

4) Credit Check & Tenancy Agreement
a) Go to www.tinz.org.nz and register an account. Note account takes 1 working day to setup
b) Put in the tenants details from the Tenancy Application Form, and
c) Run credit & tenancy tribunal check
d) Call previous landlord and double check the tenant’s story
e) If you are happy the tenant's records are clean, arrange a time to meet at their place, and fill out the tenancy agreement – Do not sign at this stage
f) Only sign the agreement when the tenant has given you the 3 weeks bond (you already have 1
weeks rent as Deposit – this is for 1st week of rent).
g) Agree a date when the tenant moves in
h) On the day or the evening before the day of Move In, hand over 1 set of keys to new tenants


Pro Tip:
- If you are unsure of anything, post your question on PTalk and get answers from Keys!

[flyernzl]

and at move in make sure that both you and the tenant(s) carry out a full exterior and interior written inspection (including photos) to establish the condition of the property at this time. Saves many arguments later about pre-existing damage.

[Nick G]

Make sure you know how many inspections you need to do for insurance, what you need to record and how/where.