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How to Lock Down the Best Tenants for Your Rental Property

If there’s one thing landlords and property management love, it’s an excellent tenant. They want someone who will take good care of their rental property and treat it with the respect it deserves. Nobody wants a problematic tenant who always causes a ruckus and disturbs nearby neighbours.

But how do you land that perfect tenant? How do you find the person (or people) you can fully trust with your rental property? It’s not as easy as you might think. Even if you get a dozen rental applications, you might have a hard time finding the perfect fit. That’s where the onus lands on you to create a compelling case to attract the very best tenants you can find.

There are specific ways you can position your rental property to make it attractive to quality tenants. You need to channel your inner-salesperson. If that’s not really up your alley, don’t stress out. We’re here to help guide you so your next tenant (or tenants) will be the best one yet.

Be Specific With Your Tenant Criteria

Having a tenant live in your rental property is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Sometimes, there’s an immediate gut reaction to take the first rental applicant that signs on the dotted line. You don’t have to do that. Always remember that you’re the one in power, and you ultimately decide who gets to live in your rental property.

Start by giving your ideal tenant some thought. Do you want university students? Do you want a mature older couple? Or perhaps someone who works in a specific industry? You should also keep in mind whether things like smoking or pets are allowed. All these seemingly small details can help guide you in the right direction. Equipped with this information, you can then formulate a proper listing that will spark your ideal tenant’s interest.

Create a Compelling Listing

Try this little factoid on for size: 91% of tenants use an internet listing service to find their next rental. This means you have to be very particular when it comes to creating one. You can’t slap together a few old, out-of-date photos along with a sloppy description of your rental property. You might as well let anyone move in at that point.

Put yourself in a tenant’s shoes for a minute. Take the very best aspects of your rental property and highlight them. It could be your awesome living room with plenty of natural light or the open-concept kitchen that feels big and homey. Whatever features you choose, make them shine.

Make sure your rental property is neat and tidy when you take high-quality photos as well. This will help you attract neat and tidy tenants who also appreciate cleanliness. If you upload pictures of your rental in disarray, then you shouldn’t be surprised down the line when your tenant keeps your rental property just as messy. You’re basically giving them the right to do so.

Talk to Potential Tenants

Make sure you allot some time to really talk to potential tenants viewing your rental property. Get to know them on a personal level. Outside of obvious questions about work and wage, try to get to the core of who they are — without overstepping any boundaries! That may sound like a big ask in a very short period, but once you know what you can and can’t ask, try to get to know them better. 

If you don’t talk to your potential tenants, you’ll end up with a pile of rental applicants whom you have no idea about. By opening up a little and giving them opportunities to tell you about themselves, it can make your decision on who the best fit is that much easier. 

Our property management services can take the burden of finding the perfect tenant off your hands. Visit our site to get the property management assistance you need today, and we’ll help you find the best tenants for your rental property.