Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Bankruptcy - All About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
The most common type of Bankruptcy that is filed for is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. This is a liquidation bankruptcy rather than a reorganization bankruptcy. This means that assets will be sold to clear the debt or debts. It starts by the person in...

Disability insurance
Disability insurance will allow you to keep a usable income even if you are disabled. Disability insurance is the best way to make sure that your income will be protected. While everybody can benefit from disability insurance, it is especially...

Lessons About Marriage Learnt From Riding A Bike
"Marriage relationships are similar to learning to ride a bicycle as a kid." Unwrapping The Gift Marriage is like a gift;the easiest part of marriage relationships is opening it by saying, "I do." I once heard someone say at a ceremony,...

Life insurance – wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution?
Life insurance is typically taken out to offer valuable financial protection for your family in the event of your death, upon which a payment is made to your financial beneficiaries, heirs or family members. The extent of this payment will depend...

Sorting Your Money
For anyone that is familiar with The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer, http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/BBOonline.html you already know that I recommend that you use your checking account to pay bills and cash to cover your household expenses. With...

 
Checking Out Potential Tenants

If you're the landlord of a complex in high demand, you have to have high standards for your tenants. You don't want to rent to any Joe Blow and then lose the building a month later because he's been growing an "herbal garden" in the bedroom. In order to avoid any complications with your new tenants, the background check you perform should be extensive.

Typical rental applications look something like this... but if your apartment or home is in high demand, you should have high demands on your applicants as well. Don't be afraid to ask more questions. Being a little nosy can save you from some future stresses.

The sample application asks for current employment information, but it's a good idea to request the previous employment information as well. Sally may be a great employee at Buck's Bar... but if she's only been employed there for a few weeks, it's a good idea to contact her previous employer. Did she walk out? Was she constantly late? Was she fired for inappropriate behavior?

Likewise, you'll want the tenant's previous (not only current) landlord contact information. If you only talk to your applicant's current landlord you may hear nothing but wonderful things, but that landlord may just be saying them to get rid of the terrible tenant! The previous landlord, however, has nothing to lose by telling you the blunt truth. Find out if the applicant was consistent with payments, or if he or she caused any trouble for the other tenants.

Ask about annual income. According to many property managers, rent should not be more than 33 percent of income. If you do the math, and it doesn't look like the applicant will be able to afford rent, you should ask them about their plan. Robert Irwin, author of The Landlord's Troubleshooter, Dearborn, asks applicants bluntly: "Do you figure you'll be able to handle the monthly rent payments?" Irwin explains that good tenants will usually spout off how they plan to budget for the apartment. It's still important


to check out their finances through their employer and credit history to find out if they're telling the truth.

You may or may not want to include a question in the application about whether or not he or she plans to get (or has) any pets. If your tenant has 2 Dobermans and plans on moving into a 500 square foot space with no yard... you may not want to rent to them. Not only could the large pets cause expensive damages or stink up the apartment, but it’s also unfair to the animals! Do you want to rent to someone who cares that little for living creatures?

You will also need to have a clause in your rental application stating that you have the right to perform criminal, personal and financial background checks on prospective tenants. If this clause is not present in the tenant's signed application, you have no legal right to contact anyone from their past.

Once you've talked to past employers and landlords, you should be able to determine whether or not the applicant would be a good addition to your establishment. If it looks like they have a good chance, you'll want to run a credit report on them to make double sure of your instinct.

Credit reports can be expensive ($35.00 - $50.00), so it's a good idea to only run them on applicants you've researched and feel good about. Some credit checking agencies will give discounted reports to landlords ($10.00 - $20.00) and if you would like to, you can ask your potential tenant to pay for some or all of the credit report cost.

By checking out everything from past employees to credit, you will have enough information about the applicant to decide whether or not you are going to accept the application. The process may seem tedious, but finding out about a bad tenant before he lives in your complex is well worth your efforts.


About the Author

Since 1989 dan the roommate man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com

 

Kiplinger.com - Timely, Trusted Personal Finance Advice, Financial ...
Investing, personal finance, calculators and financial advice.
www.kiplinger.com
 
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - Your Guide to Making Money ...
Subscibe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine to help you manage your finances. Achieve your financial goals and objectives with help from our ...
www.kiplinger.com
 
Personal finance advice, news - CNNMoney
News & advice on retirement planning, college saving, taxes, mortgages, autos, real estate, investing and more from CNNMoney.com.
money.cnn.com
 
Business, financial, personal finance news - CNNMoney
Combines practical personal finance advice, calculators and investing tips with business news, stock quotes, and financial market coverage from the editors ...
money.cnn.com
 
Personal Finance, Personal Finances, and Financial Advice - Forbes.com
Personal Finance - Get financial advice and information from Forbes.com.
www.forbes.com
 
SmartMoney.com — Investing, Saving and Personal Finance
SmartMoney has daily stock and mutual fund recommendations, hourly market updates, personal finance investing research tools and advice, ...
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance Home (Personal Finance: Personal Finance ...
Links to articles covering a range of topics where monetary planning is or should be involved.
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance - Front Page
Read the details in Personal Finance this Saturday. Also in this weekend's edition:; You should take financial services companies' marketing material with a ...
www.persfin.co.za
 
Get stock quotes, market news, rates, and more - Netscape Money ...
Market News. • Market News. • News Search. Financial Planning. • Finance Calculators. • Saving for College. • Personal Finance ...
money.netscape.cnn.com
 
globeandmail.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance. Home · National · British Columbia · Prairies · Ontario · Quebec · Atlantic · Politics · World · Americas · Europe · Asia-Pacific ...
www.theglobeandmail.com
 
Personal Finance - MSNBC.com
Answer Desk: Submit your question about personal finance or the world of business ... Personal Finance. • Learn more about RSS ...
www.msnbc.msn.com
 
Personal Finance Newsletter
7600 Leesburg Pike, West Building Suite 300 • Falls Church, VA 22043 703-394-4931 (ph) • 703-905-8100 (fax) • personalfinance@kci-com.com ...
www.pfnewsletter.com
 
Personal Finance Advice - Personal Finance Management - Personal ...
Tips and stories for managing your personal finances.
www.marketwatch.com
 
CNBC.com: Personal Finance
Investing home page features investment tools like stock quotes, charts, a portfolio manager and much more. Plus market news and financial commentary from ...
moneycentral.msn.com
 
Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Business: Personal ...
Knowing retirement, health plans can help avert disaster · At one firm, financial crisis crushed 401(k)s, insurance · Personal finance news briefs ...
www.dallasnews.com
 
Morningstar: Personal Finance
Sharpen your personal finance and investing skills with Morningstar. Access articles covering stocks, mutual funds, bonds, retirement, 401(k)s and 529 plans ...
www.morningstar.com
 
Fool.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance - The Motley Fool exists to educate, amuse, and enrich the individual investor; to prove to you that the best person to manage your money ...
www.fool.com
 
Fool.com: Investing, Stock Research, and Personal Finance
Expert advice on picking stocks, investing for retirement, and dealing with life's major personal finance decisions.
www.fool.com
 
Telegraph | Money
Market news from the Telegraph newspaper online. Includes money product finders.
www.telegraph.co.uk
 
Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Personal Finance at Epinions.com
Epinions has the best comparison shopping information on Personal Finance. Compare prices from across the web and read reviews from other consumers on ...
www.epinions.com
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 easy maintenance tips vs piling on the chaos

  • 10 online dating safety tips for seniors

  • 10 powerful self defense tips for women

  • 10 steps to a dynamic relationship

  • 10 steps to a stress free holiday

  • 10 things you should know about credit cards

  • 10 tips to reduce your exposure and prevent identity theft

  • 12 signs it is really time to leave your job

  • 19 178 identity theft victims per day are you one of them

  • 1 2 3 sort your way to clarity

  • 1 2 3 stretch your mind

  • 21 no cost or extremely low cost ways to remind your special other of how much you love them

  • 3 secrets to creating passion excitement in your partner about your business

  • 4 keys to sharing intimacy

  • 5 steps to improving communication

  • 6 key reasons men and women cheat on each other

  • 7 secrets to having a financially healthy family

  • 7 things to teach your kids about money

  • about natural mineral makeup

  • accurate psychic advice

  • add a few dollars to your mortgage payment

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 1

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 2

  • anticipating your irs refund can cost you plenty

  • are you an impulse buyer

  • are you ready or not for a relationship

  • awareness

  • a 23 federal sales tax but wait

  • a crash course in tarot for newbies 1

  • a simple effective tool to get and stay organized

  • bankruptcy all about chapter 7 bankruptcy

  • bay leaf ritual for the new year

  • benefits of a relocation service

  • beyond the pain and stigma to healing

  • be cautious when using your nest egg as an atm

  • blair bribes parents and children into higher education

  • blooming boomers women and retirement

  • brilliance in balance

  • bring balance to life

  • budget leftovers

  • call of the wild

  • can christians be capitalists

  • can i afford this

  • can you see clearly now

  • cat insurance

  • chasing after child support

  • checking out potential tenants

  • check out the cheaters checklist

  • childcare finances some money basics

  • children and divorce things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • choosing a residential lot

  • christmas gifts making your shopping easier

  • college debt how to avoid it and how to get out of it

  • conscience

  • constructive tips about retrenchment

  • coping with difficult people

  • creatively speaking

  • credit card blues

  • crisis fund

  • dating your spouse planning an evening on the town no kids

  • deliberate attraction

  • disability insurance

  • discover your housing value system

  • divorce and children things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • divorce and children things to consider when you re staying married only for your children

  • domestic violence the fact behind the myths

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your marriage

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your relationship

  • dont worry about scrooge this christmas by shopping online youll save plenty of time and money

  • eight key nutrients to help prevent breast cancer and where to find them

  • ethnic wedding traditions

  • e book on russian women part 10

  • faqs about internet dating

  • financially stable kids prepared for college

  • financial freedom

  • financial illiteracy is a major threat to americas future

  • financial responsibility

  • first checking account when is it time

  • fun treasure hunt

  • getting kids involved in garage yard sales

  • getting over the christmas giving blues take the christmas budget challenge

  • getting paid to drive

  • get married and have fun for the rest of your life

  • get married to a guy you can have fun with forever

  • get serious about your money

  • get started managing your money

  • giving thanks for online opportunities

  • goals only work when you do

  • go ahead make dads day

  • heal thyself first

  • helpful hints for first time home buyers

  • help your marriage survive the rough spots

  • heres what they really want for christmas

  • here s what they really want for christmas

  • homeownership could it be in your future

  • home financing helpful online resources

  • home for the holidays happy times right

  • honey i cant afford the kids

  • honey rich is better

  • how did i get in this mess

  • how does an under 18 female buy on line fashion without a credit card

  • how not to get ripped off at the grocery store

  • how to be a miracle maker create the love money body and spirit you want

  • how to be motivated without a motivator

  • how to boost your credit score

  • how to choose and have the type of retirement you really want

  • how to get everything you want out of life

  • how to get through a bad day

  • how to get what you really want

  • how to live with your teenagers untidy room

  • how to make money

  • how to recognize elder abuse and protect its victim

  • how to save money on your holiday gift shopping

  • how to save your home from foreclosure

  • how to sing the song of the unsung hero on your team

  • how to stick to your budget

  • how to take advantage of low mortgage rates and not get burned

  • identity theft and the internet

  • identity theft dont be a victim

  • identity theft impacting your taxes

  • identity theft the perfect victim your child

  • if you want a date promote yourself

  • index

  • is online dating right for you

  • is your life out of control then do something about it

  • i am woman hear me roar the female homebuyer and seller part 2

  • i love that big tax refund

  • karma and the new millennium

  • kippers or red herrings

  • know your debt consolidation options

  • landlords checking out potential tenants

  • lessons about marriage learnt from riding a bike

  • lets talk about probate

  • life insurance the universe and everything

  • life insurance why theres no need to be a desperate housewife

  • life insurance wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution

  • life lessons for women

  • like it or not you have a score to settle

  • lovers quarrel

  • loves most overlooked expression

  • love s most overlooked expression

  • making room for two how to adjust to life with a roommate

  • marital bliss

  • marriage finances 101

  • marriage saving advice have a soul connection with your spouse even if all seems lost

  • memory timebox

  • money and marriage 101

  • money is a family affair

  • money making money saving tips for college students

  • money management with a new spouse

  • money worries

  • mortgage refinance 4 ways to know its time to refinance your house

  • mothers day 5 gift ideas guaranteed to make any new mom happy

  • moving home a stressful time

  • need a job

  • no invitation needed sacred children series 3 of 3

  • only you can prevent money problems

  • on the hunt for a job build professional resources

  • our kids and their money

  • paying off your credit cards and other bills

  • pay off debt now 5 steps to getting your finances in order

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plan

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plans

  • planning ahead

  • planted upside down

  • precious gems of wisdom

  • preparing for the worst

  • preparing your child to move

  • professionally done invitations set the tone

  • push the right button

  • reasons for breach in marital relations

  • refund anticipation loans more harm than help

  • rotator

  • safe cyber dating

  • saving money over the christmas period

  • self esteem

  • setting your financial priorities

  • setting your wedding budget

  • share little random acts of kindness

  • shoppers beware tis the season

  • show that you care with car magnets

  • signs of infidelity 21 categories of telltale signs

  • single mother on a budget

  • some initial thoughts on creating wealth

  • sorting your money

  • speak up or sit down

  • spending more than you make

  • springtime money laundering

  • spring is sprung

  • starting over

  • stress reduction tips for parents

  • surviving life after divorce

  • tackling the transition the confident navigation of a career change

  • take the first step action is the cure

  • ten financial tips for women

  • ten ways simplify your financial life

  • theres more to preparedness than food

  • the 6 top causes of dry hair 4 of them potentially serious

  • the attack defense of the mail order bride business part two

  • the avoid debt secret

  • the changing shape of family finances

  • the dangers of a me first marriage

  • the economics of true love

  • the guide to changing your name after marriage

  • the heat of desire

  • the prenuptial agreement dilemma

  • the quest for a quality nursing home

  • the simple 10 debt elimination solution

  • the untoldtruth about mentors and why you dont need one

  • thinking about a resort retirement home

  • times are changing for woman entrepreneurs

  • tips to follow before you make an online student credit card application

  • top 10 secrets to avoiding marital money chaos

  • top 10 ways to jumpstart your new years finances

  • top ten things to build a bridge and get over

  • travel health insurance reimbursement depends on following the rules

  • trust in marriage

  • try to avoid probate

  • two income households

  • unique gifts ideas for all seasons

  • university a course in personal finance

  • using the internet to manage your familys finance

  • vacation values

  • value cant be priced

  • warning for parents your children may be having lead for lunch

  • wedding budgeting tips

  • whats your communication style

  • what are you planning to achieve by the end of the year

  • what every work from home want to be should know before diving into telecommuting

  • what is ayurvedic medicine

  • what is your fashion style

  • what it takes to start an offline business in retirement

  • what to pay when you cant pay everything

  • what to pay when you can t pay everything

  • what you need to know before starting a low carb diet

  • where does your money go taxes

  • whole brained grandparenting the baby gift

  • who will be their guardian

  • why budgets dont work and how to fix it

  • why budgets don t work and how to fix it

  • why corporate wellness programs dont work and what does

  • why have a budget analysis

  • why mothers should engage in home business

  • why student loans are better than credit cards

  • why talk about your finances to strangers

  • why women make better investors than men

  • why worry about your children

  • will your children take a one way ticket to needle death

  • women and friendship is it as good or better than chocolate

  • women retirement and social security

  • work as a spiritual calling 7 steps to heeding your lifes calling

  • wouldnt it be nice if time grew on trees

  • yes you can budget

  • your checking account

  • your consumer rights

  • your finances

  • your home and your golden years

  • your instinct is your life blood says author

  • your social security

  • you lost your debit card how much do you pay

  • you want to be a stay at home parent