Question for renters/landlords

[suesinfl]

Mods, please move this if I posted in the wrong section.

For renters: Have you checked why the previous renters left? Was it managed by a company or a private landlord? Did you ask for references/financial info of the landlords? If so, how did you do that if it was not through a company?

Landlords: Have you had your references checked? What information did they ask for and what did you release?

I’m planning on selling next year and renting in a town 200 miles south. I also have not rented in 25 years, so not sure of what questions to ask, how to check on reputable rentals.

I know to research the neighborhoods, crime reports, etc. but dealing with a landlord is out of my realm.

Any help would be appreciated.

[justme]

If it's a private landlord you should be able to search through the county/city records to make sure they own the property and if there's any suits against them. I honestly haven't ever done that, though the last place I rented had to be approved by the hoa so they wouldn't approve a lease with a non owner.

[cael]

Everything in a municipal office is (should be) public record, so you could call the local code enforcement/health department and ask what information they have on a certain address or if they've had complaints. Police department would probably have records of neighborhood or address-specific disturbances or calls?

For landlords, I'd always recommend checking references at least two apartments back on a prospective tenant - their current/last landlord will say anything to get them out if they're terrible, but the guy prior to that has no skin in the game anymore and would have no reason not to be honest. I don't know if landlords would willingly give other/prior tenants info out to a prospective tenant to do the same... may not hurt to ask. If it's a good landlord they should have no problem with you checking on them.

[cael]

City offices like collector and water department could probably also tell you if taxes/utilities are paid and up to date.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

For renters: Have you checked why the previous renters left? Was it managed by a company or a private landlord? Did you ask for references/financial info of the landlords? If so, how did you do that if it was not through a company?

I've lived in 3 different complexes and the most effective way of finding out how management worked was hanging around the complex and asking other tenants that lived there.  Most have been rather up front about what they liked or didn't like.  If you were going with a private landlord, I would probably talk to the neighbors and ask them if they knew the people who lived in the place you were interested in renting.

There is a LOT of information online these days and that can help you narrow things down a bit.  For instance, around town there is a management company that has a really bad reputation and people have put out signs about not dealing with them.  I have no idea as to what the issue is, but if I was looking for a place I would be checking them out thoroughly if I was interested in renting a property managed by them.

I suspect that if you go with a private rental vs one that is a complex, you are never going to be assured that the property is not going to go into foreclosure.  A landlord can decide to stop paying the mortgage and there is really few things you can do as this is something that is totally out of your hands.

[hypersion]

I use city data and neighborhoodscout to find out about crime statistics in a new area.  I always thought I got a lot more value for my money with private landlords then a management company.

[Chocolate Lover]

Who are you going to ask why the previous renters left? The landlord? Like you'd get a truthful answer? 

[Bonny]

As a LL, I second the checking the LL BEFORE the current one.

Unfortunately my two worst tenants (one for damage/neglect the other eviction/leaving the place a mess) were owners so I couldn't check them out. Used to be that owners tended to be better tenants and would let you know about important stuff. Given how lax lending standards were 10 years ago I no longer think that rule applies.

I've had two tenants in 12 years question my ownership and/or wanted me to prove I was current on my mortgage. I told them how to look up both but I don't think either of them actually followed through. Ironically both were total PITAs (see the comment about the tenant who did the most damage ). It's possible others checked me out but I never heard about it.

I've told prospective renters to prepare a LL package. Pull your credit report, write a renter's resume stressing your positive points. If you've been a long time homeowner, that's a positive. If you've held a job for a long time, list that. You can also take photos of your home so that a LL sees how neat and organized you are.

Not everyone appreciates a package but it sure can't hurt. I like to deal with organized people. They tend to pay the rent on time.

[Bonny]

Dec 10, 2015 14:11:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Who are you going to ask why the previous renters left? The landlord? Like you'd get a truthful answer? 

I actually had a tenant lie. He insisted on leaving early because we had trouble with a laundry waste pipe and it took 3x from the plumber to finally get the diagnosis correct. It was a frustrating situation for both of us but he took it to another level and tried to make a claim that my property was uninhabitable.  Anyway he was a real estate agent and lied to the new tenant. He told her that they were relocating due to his wife transferring. He lied because he wanted out early and she needed to take over the remaining term of his lease. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Dec 10, 2015 14:25:57 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Dec 10, 2015 14:11:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Who are you going to ask why the previous renters left? The landlord? Like you'd get a truthful answer? 

I actually had a tenant lie. He insisted on leaving early because we had trouble with a laundry waste pipe and it took 3x from the plumber to finally get the diagnosis correct. It was a frustrating situation for both of us but he took it to another level and tried to make a claim that my property was uninhabitable.  Anyway he was a real estate agent and lied to the new tenant. He told her that they were relocating due to his wife transferring. He lied because he wanted out early and she needed to take over the remaining term of his lease. 

I never said the tenants wouldn't lie.  I think my previous LL would prefer that I did though. My answer would be "I wasn't paying that much for that " when he raised my rent. 

[suesinfl]

Dec 10, 2015 14:11:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Who are you going to ask why the previous renters left? The landlord? Like you'd get a truthful answer? 

I guess I was thinking of a complex and asking other renters or if a SFH neighbors. Ok, my question was stupid, but I was wondering if like renters if LL's had reference letters.

[Bonny]

Dec 10, 2015 17:26:03 GMT -5 suesinfl said:

Dec 10, 2015 14:11:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Who are you going to ask why the previous renters left? The landlord? Like you'd get a truthful answer? 

I guess I was thinking of a complex and asking other renters or if a SFH neighbors. Ok, my question was stupid, but I was wondering if like renters if LL's had reference letters.

I think talking to other tenants in a complex is a smart idea. Just be sure to talk to three so you get a broader sample.

You could try the neighbors for the SFH. At our two full time SFH rentals I'd be surprised if any of the neighbors would say anything one way or the other. We never lived in one and we haven't lived in the other one for seven years. At the condo two would say we were nice. Then there's the neighbor who thinks my insurance or my husband and I are an income stream.

[Deleted]

The house next door to me is a rental now. If the current tenant moved out and a prospective tenant asked me about the property or the owner, I would be of no help. I have no idea who owns and/or manages the house. A bank owned it for maybe a couple of years after it was foreclosed on, and they kept the exterior and yard neat the whole time. When the current owner bought it, they had a lot of work done on it and kept the exterior and yard clean and neat until the current tenant finally moved in. That makes me think the owner probably at least gives a damn about the condition of the property, but that's all I got.

[suesinfl]

Dec 10, 2015 14:20:55 GMT -5 Bonny said:

As a LL, I second the checking the LL BEFORE the current one.

I've told prospective renters to prepare a LL package. Pull your credit report, write a renter's resume stressing your positive points. If you've been a long time homeowner, that's a positive. If you've held a job for a long time, list that. You can also take photos of your home so that a LL sees how neat and organized you are.

Not everyone appreciates a package but it sure can't hurt. I like to deal with organized people. They tend to pay the rent on time.

Bonnie, that is what I was wondering, thank you! To all that have responded, I'm grateful for your thoughts and ideas, so thank you too. I guess you could say I'm a virgin renter.  The last time I rented, I was just looking for a place to hang my hat, so to speak.

[Bonny]

Dec 10, 2015 18:57:42 GMT -5 suesinfl said:

Dec 10, 2015 14:20:55 GMT -5 Bonny said:

As a LL, I second the checking the LL BEFORE the current one.

I've told prospective renters to prepare a LL package. Pull your credit report, write a renter's resume stressing your positive points. If you've been a long time homeowner, that's a positive. If you've held a job for a long time, list that. You can also take photos of your home so that a LL sees how neat and organized you are.

Not everyone appreciates a package but it sure can't hurt. I like to deal with organized people. They tend to pay the rent on time.

Bonnie, that is what I was wondering, thank you! To all that have responded, I'm grateful for your thoughts and ideas, so thank you too. I guess you could say I'm a virgin renter.  The last time I rented, I was just looking for a place to hang my hat, so to speak.

It was an eye-opening experience for us to be renters while we lived in Germany for three years after being homeowners for 26 years. Things ARE different but our LL was a jerk at the end. He tried to get away with keeping about $800 of our deposit because he thought I was give up because I was out of the country. Word to the wise I do not go away quietly.

The experience reminded me that I never wanted to be an *sshole LL.

Make sure you do a thorough move-in, move-out inspection and take photos of significant damage.  If you are questioned blame your YM friends.

[cranberry]

I live in an apartment complex now and before I selected it, I googled the names of both the complex and the management company for information. I looked at crime statistics, considered how well the property was maintained, and looked through reviews at apartmentratings.com. But I also knew a few people who had lived here previously and got their feedback.

I imagine it would be tougher to research a private landlord, but you never know what you'll find in a thorough google search.

[zibazinski]

I'm going to be renting a sfh after I get out of here. But I will go through an agent and I know what to ask for. They'd better be checking to as I will make them sign a paper stating they have checked these things and if not, they are liable for my damages.

[formerroomate99]

I've had good luck talking to other tenants about the neighborhood, neighbors, and landlord.  The only time i had a bad landlord was when I was the first one to rent in a 4 family flat that had just been 'renovated'.  What a hellhole that place turned out to be.