Your Comfy Homes - References Questions

21 Tenant Screening and Rental Application Questions

How long have you lived in your current home?
Why did you decide to leave?
What is your desired move-in date?
How many people will be living in the unit?
How many adults will be contributing to the rent?
What is your combined monthly income?
Does anyone in your household smoke cigarettes or marijuana?
Do you have any pets? If so, please describe them
Will you require parking spaces? If so, how many?
Does anyone in your household play a musical instrument and will be practicing in the unit?
Does anyone in your household work a third-shift or job with odd hours?
Do you anticipate having any long-term guests or additions to the household?
Are you willing to sign a one-year or longer lease?
Do you have money set aside for the security deposit and first month’s rent?
Do you anticipate anything in the near future affecting your ability to pay rent?
Are you able to provide references from employers and previous landlords?
Have you ever had to break a lease? If so, why?
Have you ever had to file for bankruptcy?
Have you ever been evicted? If so, why?
Do you have any questions for me about the property or rental application process?
Is there anything else I should know about you and your living situation?

To be sure an applicant is suitable for your rental property, there is other information you should collect to get a well-rounded assessment of a tenant. Landlords could look at an applicant’s social media, ask for references for past landlords, and conduct in-person video interviews to get to know them better. You can also collect pay stubs to ensure a potential tenant can afford your property.

Questions to Ask Former Landlords

Before we dive in, it’s only fair to point out that not every landlord will tell the truth about their former tenant. Exaggerated figures, refusing to take ownership of issues, and grandiose statements should be weighed against your interactions with the applicant.

How long did the tenant rent from you? The answer will provide context for the rest of their feedback. A landlord who’s rented to your applicant for a decade but swears that they’re the worst tenant alive might not be telling the truth about their experience.
What condition was the unit in post-move out? Most landlords fear the state their rental will be in once their tenant says goodbye, so eliminate the dread by asking this question.
Did the tenant have any animals? Emotional support animals are top of mind for many rental property owners. The answer to this question may inspire follow-up questions for your applicant.
Were there any issues between the tenant and their neighbors/other tenants? If something pops up that you weren’t expecting, ask your applicant for their perspective.
Can you rate their communication on a scale of 1-5, 5 being fantastic? A good communicator often shares maintenance concerns earlier, along with maintaining a positive landlord-tenant relationship.
Would you rent to them again? The answer to this question summarizes the applicant’s relationship with their former landlord.
Questions that apply to your property type. For example, if your vacancy is in a multi-family property, ask if they have insight into the applicant’s experience with shared utilities.

A Previous Eviction: A previous eviction should be a red flag for landlords – whether it was for nonpayment or for other lease violations, it could be a risk to rent to a tenant who has previously been evicted. Reaching out to landlord references can help you determine if they have been a good tenant after the eviction on their record. You may also decide to discuss it with the tenant to get a better understanding of the situation.
Good Income and Credit, but an Eviction History: Once again, obtaining past landlord references to see if they were a good renter in their last tenancy will help you determine if it is a risk worth taking. If it was an eviction due to nonpayment, the renter’s financial situation may have changed since then which is why it’s best to cover your bases and speak with past landlords. Even after completing the necessary research, if you have other great applicants that fit your screening criteria better with no evictions, it may be best to stick to the ones who pose a lesser risk.

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