Further, you should ask a former landlord the tenant’s reason(s) for leaving, and decide which reasons are acceptable. Don’t forget to ask whether they gave the landlord proper notice before moving, whether the tenant received their entire deposit back, and whether this landlord would rent out to their former tenant again. Essentially, you want the former landlord to paint a solid picture of what kind of tenant that person was, because it’s indicative of how they will be for you. • The tenant’s personal appearance. First impressions matter! Will you rent your home to someone who shows up without a shirt or shoes? You know the saying: No shoes, no shirt, no service. What are your own standards and policies for a potential tenant’s outward appearance—and hygiene? • Will you require every person over 18 in the house to apply? I recommend having every adult who will be living in your home apply. What if the main applicant is “clean” and meets all your requirements, but the others have poor credit, no job, a criminal record, or poor tenancy history? Even if your potential tenants are two parents with young adult children, have the children apply, too. You need to know who’ll be living in your home! You don’t want to be held legally liable for adult children who engage in criminal behavior because you didn’t bother to have them apply. You’ll want to avoid this situation, too: Many groups of people will try to rent a house together, and have whoever looks “good on paper” fill out the rental application, while the others, who don’t look so “good” move in later.
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