by Erica T. Barton

Created on: February 13, 2008

Doing a credit check and checking references is not a guarantee that you are going to pick a good renter. The fact is, a potential renter is never going to give you a bad reference. They would sooner have someone lie for them. Even checking credit does not validate a renter's potential since many people don't know how to handle credit. Therefore, unless you are planning on closely analyzing every item on their report, you will not have any success in selecting a good renter. Instead, prescreen potential tenants with the following questions to ensure you always pick a good renter.

1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER? If the renter has worked with their current employer for less then a year, there is a good possibility they may not be working there much longer. Be wary of anyone who has only been at their job less then a year because if they get fired or quit, they will not make the rent on time.

2. HOW LONG DID YOU WORK AT THE JOB BEFORE YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER? Like the last question, job history reveals a lot. If they were with their previous employer for less then a year, this person has a hard time staying at a job. They are most likely irresponsible and they will not be reliable.

3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED AT YOUR CURRENT RESIDENCE? If they have lived at their current residence for less then a year, they will live at your residence for less then a year. Your goal is to find someone who will stay put for a long time.

4. WHY ARE YOU MOVING? No matter how long the person has lived at their current address, there is a reason they are moving. By asking, you are going to find out "their side of the story." If they had problems with the previous landlord, they are going to embellish those problems and tell you every bad thing the landlord ever did. What this really means is that your applicant is going to cause problems for you and complain about every little thing. Renters who are moving because they need to be closer to work or because they want a bigger place are usually less trouble.

5. ARE YOU ABLE TO PAY THE FIRST MONTH'S RENT AND DEPOSIT TODAY? If they try to negotiate the first month's payment and deposit, they will give do the same when it comes time to pay the rent. Stick to people who can give you a money order now.

6. DO YOU HAVE A CURRENT PAYSTUB TO VERIFY EMPLOYMENT? By asking for a paystub, you verify two things. One, you will see that they work where they said. Two, you will see how much money they make per pay period and you will

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