If you’re a renter, you know how frustrating it is to find the perfect place only to have the landlord tell you that they won’t rent to you because of your income. If this has happened or if another dealbreaker has prevented a renter from renting your property, here are some tips on how owners can avoid them.
Dealbreakers for Renters
Dealbreakers are the specific conditions that renters look for when looking for their new place to live. Some common dealbreakers for renters include:
1. Pets
Dozens of renters will not rent if they cannot have pets, or they will only accept small lap dogs or cats and not other larger animals. If you own the property, this is not your problem. But if you are trying to rent it out, you need to consider this when setting up your advertising and showing the property. You can ask for a pet deposit that is usually equal to one month’s rent, but some tenants will refuse to pay this.
2. No Smoking
Many renters are looking for properties that do not allow smoking. This is becoming more common as concerns about second-hand smoke grow. Some owners only allow tenants who will not smoke in their home, while others include no-smoking rules in the lease, which usually requires a higher security deposit.
3. Employment
Many owners will not rent to tenants who do not have a stable income. If you’re trying to rent out your property and realize that you’ve chosen renters who don’t meet this criterion, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board on choosing your potential tenants. You can resolve this issue by requiring that the tenant have two years of stable employment before allowing them to rent.
4. Cleanliness of the Property
If the property is not well kept you could deter renters. Bad smells and items in disrepair can prevent a potential tenant from renting, no matter how low the rent is.
Tips on How Owners Can Avoid Them
If you’re an owner and you realize that you’ve chosen renters with dealbreakers, then there are a few things you can do to avoid them.
1. Ask Questions
When meeting with a potential renter who wants to see one of your properties, do not hesitate to ask them questions about their lifestyle and whether or not they have any pets or children. You can also find out if they smoke by asking specific questions or smelling their clothes.
2. Be Honest
Before working out a deal with potential tenants, owners need to sit down and be honest about the terms of their rental agreement. If you do not allow pets or smoking in your home, say so. Most renters are much more flexible than it appears when it comes to renting and will be open to the idea of having a pet as long as they can afford an extra security deposit.
3. Get Good References
Many owners will ask for references from potential renters, but they need to do more. In addition to asking for written references, you should call the references to see what kind of tenants they were. If most of their references are landlords, then it is likely that this tenant will be the same way.
4. Keep up With Maintenance
Be sure that all small projects are kept up with including plumbing fixtures and painting. Perform a thorough steam cleaning before showing the property.
The Takeaway
If you’re an owner and realize that you’ve chosen renters with dealbreakers, then there are ways to avoid them. It would help if you asked questions about their lifestyle, were honest about your terms, and got good references.