Finding a new tenant...

Owner: When checking references on a tenancy applicant, how can I tell whether the previous landlord is legitimate or a friend of the tenant?

LandlordMentor: Ask this question: “Can you confirm the address (with postal code)?”


Owner: I held an open house for my vacant rental unit and eight different people came. How do I pick the right one?

LandlordMentor: You can’t! Open houses are for attracting purchasers, not renters. Schedule only one potential applicant, couple, (etc.) at a time so you can interview them during the showing, watch how they react to the unit, and listen to what they say.


Owner: I schedule suite showings and over half the people don’t show up.

LandlordMentor: When scheduling showings, tell your prospects to phone you about one hour before to confirm and tell them that if they don’t, you won’t show up.


Owner: I give out application forms to tenancy applicants and they either don’t return them or don’t answer all the questions.

LandlordMentor: The application stage is your best opportunity to learn about your potential tenants. Don’t give out the form; instead, sit down with your applicants right after the suite showing and interview them to get all the answers, filling out the form yourself, which they then read and sign.