As a landlord, you will likely find yourself talking to a number of potential tenants, in the hopes of finding that ideal match for a property you have for rent. And, while you will have a number of key questions for them – such as requesting more details about their income and rental housing history – it is probable that they will also have a few questions for you.
Certainly, the biggest reason for this is because the people who inquire about your property are seeking a place to call home – even if it’s just a temporary situation. So, they will want to get additional information pertaining to the do’s and dont’s.
One of the most common questions that you may face is that of what is included in the rent and what isn’t. Depending on the type of property you have, you may or may not opt to include various utility costs – such as heat, electric, and / or water – directly into the monthly rental amount.
Whether or not these will be separate expenses, though, can make a big difference to a potential renter. It can also mean that the tenant may or may not need to go through the process of setting up new services with the utility companies.
Another key concern for many renters is whether or not a landlord will accept pets – and if so, are there any restrictions, such as size, weight, and / or the breed of the animal. Oftentimes, when a landlord does allow pets, there will be an additional security deposit and / or monthly rent amount required.
If a tenant’s job or family situation changes during the time they are residing in your property, they may need to break the lease. So, in many instances, the potential tenant may ask about this possibility upfront.
Screening and talking with potential tenants can take time – time that you may not have, due to other obligations. In this case, working with an experienced property manager can not only help you to get your unit rented, but can also deal with tenant and maintenance issues ongoing. For more information on how hiring a property manager can benefit you, give us a call today.