3 tips for screening a tenant

1. Filter applicants from the first contact

When first contacting prospective tenants, it is important to ask key questions that will help you better understand their needs and ensure they are a good fit for your property.

Here are some questions you may wish to consider:

• How long do you plan to stay in the property?

• What is your employment status and income?

• Do you have any specific requirements regarding accommodation or the property’s facilities?

• Do you have any pets?

• How often do you move, and what experience have you had with previous tenancies?

• Can you provide references from previous landlords?

• What are your expectations of living in our flat/house?

It is also important to repeatedly emphasise your requirements regarding smokers or pets, so that both parties are clear. Although you cannot ban animals completely, you can include an obligation in the agreement for the tenant to inform you of any pets. Finally, pay attention to your communication with prospective tenants and favour those with whom you feel comfortable and communication is pleasant. Given the current high demand for rental housing, as a landlord you can choose who you let your flat to.

2. Check tenants’ ability to pay

Checking a prospective tenant’s payment record is a key step in minimising the risks associated with non-paying tenants. There are several ways to verify an applicant’s financial stability in advance:

• Enforcement Register: For a small fee, you can find out whether enforcement proceedings have been initiated against the applicant. The Central Register of Enforcement Proceedings or the SOLUS register are useful sources of information.

• Employment: Ask about the applicant’s employment. Take an interest in their employment relationship, workplace and type of contract (fixed-term/permanent).

• References: Ask the applicant to provide references from previous landlords. Feedback from previous landlords can provide useful information about their payments and conduct as a tenant.

While these steps will not give you a 100% guarantee that you will have a reliable tenant, they can significantly reduce the risk of finding yourself in a situation where your tenant does not pay. Investing in screening prospective tenants is therefore essential for successfully letting your property without complications.

3. Professional property management

Using professional property management services is becoming an increasingly popular trend among property owners. This service is an effective way of placing all administrative duties associated with letting a property in the hands of experts. Bohemian Estates is one of the companies providing professional property management in the Czech Republic.

Professional property management provides comprehensive rental support, from finding suitable tenants to managing lease agreements. The company checks prospective tenants against a total of 4 debtor registers, helping to minimise the risk of non-payment. In addition, it concludes watertight lease agreements that protect property owners.

A fee is charged for professional property management services, but this is often offset by the benefits the service provides. Statistics show that professionally managed properties are occupied more often, providing owners with a regular rental income.

With professional management, the property owner does not need to deal with advertising, communication with tenants or administrative matters related to renting out the property. This allows the owner to generate passive income from the property without having to deal with the day-to-day matters associated with renting it out.